Facebook is a social networking website. You can meet old friends and make new ones there. It's also great for communicating with your friends and family. So to get yourself started, just follow the step-by-step guide below to get your profile set-up safely.

1. Register: Start by going to the Facebook website at www.facebook.com.

2. Once you are on the website, in the blue task bar on the right side, click "register".

3. You are taken to a registration screen. Type in your name, select what is your occupation, enter a valid e-mail address, enter a password, and enter your birthday.

4. Enter the words you see in the graphic into the box below it. Check the box to agree to the terms of use and click "register now".

5. Confirm email: Facebook will now send a confirmation email to your email. Login to your email. Click on the confirmation email from Facebook. Click on the link and it will take you to your new Facebook profile.

6. Find friends: Facebook will scan your email address book to find your friends. Enter your email address and password and Facebook will find your friends (this is safe to do). Select the ones you want to add by checking the boxes beside their names. Click "add to friends" at the bottom. Another good way to find friends is to search your existing friend profiles and ask to be added to their list. Start with your own family members already on Facebook since they are the easiest to add to your friend list.

7. Find classmates: Click on "search for your classmates." Select the country, city, name of your school, and class year. Click "search for classmates". Once you find someone you want to add, select that person and then click "add to friends". Sometimes when you add a friend, you will have to type the words in the security box into the box below it.

8. Find workmates: Click on "search for your co-workers". Type the name of the company and name of the employee. Click "search for coworkers".

9. Join a regional network: To join a regional network, on your Facebook homepage set up page is an option to enter a city or town. Put in your home city and click "join".

10. Edit profile: Click on "my profile". Then click on edit. Now you are able to enter personal information about yourself. Once you enter all the information you want to share, click "save changes".

11. Contact: Click on "contact" in the tabs bar. This is where you will enter all your contact information. Click "save changes" when done.

12. Personal: Click on personal in the tabs bar. This is where you enter information about yourself. Click "save changes" when done.

13. Education: This is where you enter your school information. Save your changes.

14. Work: Enter information about your work. Save all your changes.

15. Picture: This is where you can upload your picture. So that's it, you are done.

>>> DOWNLOAD THIS DOCUMENT IN .PDF FORMAT <<<

Facebook Safety Resources:

Sophos's recommendations for Facebook settings
(for the truly paranoid)
http://www.sophos.com/security/best-practice/facebook/

How to Use Facebook Privacy Settings and Avoid Disaster
http://mashable.com/2009/04/28/facebook-privacy-settings/

10 Privacy Settings Every Facebook User Should Know
Security Camera Image- We've updated this guide with the new privacy settings just launched by Facebook.
http://www.allfacebook.com/facebook-privacy-2009-02

10 New Privacy Settings Every Facebook User Should Know [HQ]
Video >>> http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=624088888775

Privacy settings and Friend Lists (e.g., Limited Profile) · Update to privacy settings ... Privacy policies and internet safety. Protecting account security ...
http://www.facebook.com/help/?page=419

>>> You can get the new Facebook privacy guide here right now <<<

Where can you sign up for other Social Networking Sites?

• Gmail: http://mail.google.com/

  • You get 7+ GB of storage, less spam, and mobile access. Gmail is email that's intuitive, efficient, and useful. And maybe even fun! It's a safe email address to reduce spam and protect your primary email address. Create a free account before joining any social networking sites.

• Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/   

  • Facebook is a social networking website launched in February 2004 that is operated and privately owned by Facebook, Inc. It currently has more than 500 million active users.

• Windows Live (MSN & Hotmail): http://ca.msn.com/ 

  • Download and install Windows Live Essentials, a free program that helps you do more with photos, movies, instant messaging, email, blogging, family safety, and lots more.

• Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/   

  • Twitter is without a doubt the best way to share and discover what is happening right now.

• Yahoo Canada: http://ca.yahoo.com/  

  • Yahoo! Canada, the world's most visited home page. Quickly find what you're searching for, get in touch with friends and stay in-the-know.

As we progress we'll look at the pro & cons of them all, and I'll be here to answer your questions, guide your choices and teach you how to protect yourself. Please jot your questions down and don’t be hesitant about asking them during class (I usually have a time allotted for Q&A's every class) or give me the question before or after class so I can share it with everyone.