Teach Your Mum To Have Fun On Facebook

Launched in February 2004, Facebook is the worlds biggest social network site with almost 750 million users. Once the realm of youngsters, Facebook now appeals to all generations with more and more of the older generation signing up. So what do you do when your Mum decides she wants to sign up? With Facebook forever evolving it’s difficult to know were to start. To help we’ve compiled this simple step-by-step guide to help teach your Mum how to have fun on Facebook.

1. Opening an Account

To get started, go the www.facebook.com and complete the simple sign up form on the home page. The details you will be asked to enter include your name, email address, gender and date of birth. You’ll also be asked to choose a new password for you account. Once signed up, you will be asked to verify your email address by clicking on a link which will then be sent to the address you have provided. Once you click on the verification link you’ll be taken back to Facebook where you can add more details to your ‘profile’ and start your search for friends.

2. Security

Once you’ve signed in, the next most important thing to do is to set your privacy settings. To access these settings use the Account drop-down menu at the top right corner of the page. Here you will find several different sections: Connecting on Facebook, where you control basic information that your friends can use to find you; Sharing on Facebook, where you control who sees what on your profile; Apps and websites, where you control what you share with 3rd parties and Block Lists, where you can block specific people from interacting with you or seeing your profile.

3. Enhance you Profile

Now you have your privacy settings sorted you can start enhancing your profile by adding information such as your relationship status, maiden name, job, education, religion and even political views. You can also add details about your favorite things like TV shows, films, music, books, sports, activities and interests. It’s also advisable to add a profile photo at this point as this helps your friends identify your profile when they are searching for you and when you are sending the friend requests as described below. To add a profile photo go to your profile page, hover over the profile picture holder (top left), click the option to add your profile picture and follow the on screen instructions.

4. Adding Friends

To find your friends on Facebook it’s as simple as typing your friend’s name into the search box at the top of the page. Once you find a person you know, click the “Add as Friend” button to send them a friend request. That person will then be sent a message to confirm they are actually friends with you. Once your friend accepts your request they will be added to your friends list. Another great way to find friends is to go to www.facebook.com/find-friends where you can also add contacts from your email address book.

5. Start Interacting

Now your profile is set up and you’ve added a few friends, you can start interacting and exploring. Update your status telling people what you up to or how you feel; start adding a few photos ‘tagging’ your friends; add links to your favourite websites; send messages to friends or simply enjoy a chat. You can keep up to date with what your friends are up to by reading your news feed, where you can also ‘like’ and comment on other people’s statuses, photos and links.

There’s plenty more to discovery on Facebook, this is just a simple guide to get you up and running. The more you interact the more you’ll discover, so don’t be afraid to explore, you can’t break Facebook!

Author Bio: This helpful Facebook guide was brought to you by Broadband Choices, the broadband comparison website.