Fast Facts:
Facebook
What is it used for?
Facebook is a social media platform that allows its users to post polls, pictures, videos, and other digital content onto their profiles for other users to see. In addition, it allows users to add others as friends and enables them to like, share, and comment on other posts. Facebook may be used for either personal or commercial purposes.
What Ages?
The minimum age requirement for owning a Facebook account is 13 years old. Please refer to the official Terms of Service for more information.
Where can I find it?
Facebook is available in the Apple App Store for Apple products such as iPhones and iPads, and Google Play Store for Android products. It is also available for use on your computer using a Web browser. Facebook can be downloaded for free.
Pros
Facebook is a popular social media platform.
Facebook allows you to post photos, videos, statements, comments, and polls.
You can privately message with your contacts on Facebook using Facebook Messenger.
You can comment on posts with text comments, emojis, pictures, and videos.
The platform promotes network building and posting of content personal to you and others with shared interests.
It also allows for the creation of Facebook groups of like-minded people.
It also allows for scheduling of events for organizations, tracking accepted and declined invites.
Businesses can reach large audiences with the marketing and advertising tools on Facebook. This can be both a pro and con.
Cons
Some of the issues are:
There are a lot of fake profiles.
Anyone can find you by searching your name.
Facebook can be addicting.
Easy for misinformation to be spread.
Many websites and apps use the user’s Facebook profile to login. This can be risky if the user logins into an unsafe site or app with their Facebook credentials, leaving their information vulnerable.
Today, there is a trend among teens and younger individuals to prefer other social media platforms.
Safety (Do's)
Get familiar with and use the privacy settings to decide how your account, posts, likes, and so on can be viewed by others (only by your friends, or publicly, etc.)
Only communicate with people you know and trust.
Block other users, if you are not comfortable. This prevents the other user from contacting you further.
Enable multi-factor authentication for additional account security.
Safety (Dont's)
Don’t
Accept invitations or communicate with people you don't know.
Post anything that you might regret later. Remember that what you post is always captured and stored online somewhere, so think twice before posting something especially in a hurry or in anger.
Share your Facebook password or phone or otherwise allow others to use your account on your behalf.