Since it was launched in February 2004 from the college dorm
room of Harvard sophomore Mark Zuckerberg, Facebook has become one of the most
popular social networking websites in the world. Now, with 500 million
registered users, it is estimated that half of the world's population log on
every day to Facebook.
The Facebook Effect: How It's Shaping our Lives is a
fascinating book that explores the story of how Facebook became so successful,
and what that means for us all. It was shortlisted for the Financial Times and
Goldman Sachs Business Book of the Year Award in 2010.
When you think of Facebook, you probably think of young
people posting their lives on the site. It's a virtual bedroom wall for them,
where they can share their interests, upload pictures and videos of themselves,
and interact with friends.
This is very different from what it was like before
Facebook, when the only way for people to connect online was via email, and
even then, they only did so when they had important things to communicate with
each other about.
But this is all changing as more and more people start using
Facebook. Many younger people have found it to be a great way to stay connected
with their friends and family, without the need to pick up the phone or send an
email.
Despite the fact that it is so popular, there are a few
risks that come with using Facebook. The first is that there can be content on
the site that could upset children or adults, if they are not careful.
The second is that some people can be manipulated by others
on the site. This can include people whose opinions on certain topics are not
what they seem to be.
Another thing to be aware of is that Facebook can be a
powerful tool for advertisers. This is because it allows them to target
specific people based on their personal information. These ads can be shown to
them based on their age, location, and other personal details.
They can also be based on what they are interested in or
what they have previously said about a certain subject. This could be used for
example, to show ads to people who are considering buying a car or house.
It can also be a great way to promote events or products.
For example, if someone is a fan of Liverpool FC and they have created a page
on Facebook, they can post updates, pictures, and other information about their
team.
There is a third danger that young people face when they use
Facebook: they can be exposed to unsuitable content. This can happen if they
are not careful and are not taught about what they can and cannot do on the
site.
There is a lot of pressure on young people to be successful
on Facebook, and they have to work hard to keep up with the competition. This can
be a very stressful situation for them, and it is not something that should be
underestimated.
