Is It A Good Idea To Join Facebook?

[mollymalloy]

Good Morning, Am a private person, but my sister in law told me yesterday that she is on Facebook. Is it worthwhile joining it? Does it serve a purpose? Your thoughts would be appreciated. Thank you.

[seadogg]

I enjoy it as friends whose interests I share post some superb photographs and info about birdwatching. Read the privacy options carefully and give as little personal info as you can. If you have no deep interests you wish to share its a bit of a waste of time. Be Savvy!

[gingejbee]

I've done OK without it all these years....think I'll manage without it.

[naomi24]

hc, it allows other people to be intrusive. For example there is information about me, and pictures of me, on Facebook posted by other people. I don't want any of it to be there - but there's nothing I can do about it.

[whiskeryron]

WR.

[hc4361]

That's not FB being intrusive - that is your 'friends'. FB hasn't put them there.

Nobody should be able to find a reference to you or a photo of you either by searching FB or google.

[woofgang]

Naomi, they could put those pics in flickr or photobucket or many other web based setups. If they know your real name, that can add it and any other stuff they like to the photos, if they put it in tags it will be searchable. Just because rude idiots have pictures of you doesn't make facebook a bad thing

[naomi24]

No, but it provides the facility for them to do it. Not for me, thanks.

[naomi24]

Woofgang, I know that - but the 'friends' thing with Facebook is a step too far for my liking.

[puddle-duck]

It is a good way to connect with family & friends. You do have control over who sees what. You can always deactivate your account if you feel it's not for you.

I only joined when my daughter was away at uni, it was easier to keep in touch with her. I deactivated my account last year after having some problems with certain family members. I don't miss it.

[DTCwordfan]

If you have a small business, then yes. It can be effective advertising.

[nungate]

I only joined facebook so I could play Bejwelled Blitz! I rarely post anything on there, though my daughter uses it a lot and as she put me downs as a "friend" I see everything she posts!

[ummmm]

I think it's great.

[woofgang]

nungate, my nephew friended me and I see and join in with what him and his mates post...there is sometimes a little shock horror when I let out that i am his 60 yo aunt!!

[nungate]

She more or less tells me what she is up to anyway, she's very open with me (not sure whether I should be glad about that or not)

[Kramer21]

"I've done OK without it all these years....think I'll manage without it."

What an odd thing to say. You've also done without this site and the internet yet you're here and enjoying it???
Mollymalloy yes facebook to me is the greatest site on the internet. If you're sociable and like to keep in touch with friends and family as well as making new friends and being entertained then go ahead and sign up. If you're a suspicious recluse who's afraid of the internet, are easily scared by all the "Invasion of privacy" crap the handwringing scaremongers constantly harp on about then no it isn't for you. I have all my photos, my location and place of work there and haven't ever encountered any problems so don't be scared of by the "Life's out to get you" mob and enjoy another great "present" from the internet.

[pusskin]

i never get to hear any sort of abuse or trouble on any pages that i read on f/book.
Marvelous to catch up and read friends and families comments on what their doing. I think f/book is great.

[EcclesCake]

Facebook is what you make of it. If you go in with your eyes open and don't expose yourself too much the it is a great way of keeping in touch with friends and family.

Do not feel obliged to accept friend requests or acknowledge friend suggestions.

There is some fast practice but ultimately I think it is down to the user to manage their FB account effectively.

[sherrardk]

There are some weirdos on FB (I had someone who wantd to be friends with me who only had 'friends' with the same (unusual) first name as me - nutter) but you don't have to be a rocket scientist to spot them.

[shaneystar2]

I've dithered over joining Facebook ,but no ,it's not something that interests me .
I just can't see the point of it when I can email my friends and family or pick up the phone or even write to them. I've managed to keep in touch with people who matter for most of my life without the need for something like that .

[grasscarp]

I use email, mail, text, Skype, facetime etc. Facebook is not my kind of thing. Much about it that I don't like and I also find some comments on here quite unnecessary. I have nothing against people who are on it and enjoy it. There is also nothing wrong with not liking it.