Walker Methodist | Jun 25, 2019
These days, everyone seems to be on social media. Our kids, grandkids, and even our friends from high school. But figuring out how to use sites like Facebook can be tough, especially when there are so many scams going around.
Fortunately, there’s good news. Setting up and using social media platforms is easier than ever. You just need to take the leap and soon, you’ll be enjoying the many entertaining and convenient aspects of social media.
Set Up Your Profile
Before you can set up a profile, you’ll need to decide which platform to use. Facebook is by far the most popular with older adults, with 41 percent of those surveyed saying they use it. Since it’s the overwhelming favorite among all age groups, you’ll be more likely to find your family and old friends on there. To create an account, go to Facebook.com and click the Sign-Up button. You’ll need to confirm your email address before you continue and once you do, Facebook will suggest some people you know who are on Facebook, based on the contact information in your email account. Remember to create a strong password and be sure that you adjust your privacy settings if you don’t want your information displayed on your new profile page.
Find Your Friends
Once you’ve added a photo and accepted the initial Facebook recommendations, it’s time to track down other people you know. Start with the Find Your Friends on Facebook page, which will help you search for people by last name. As you add friends, Facebook will begin to recommend new people you should add, adding these people is completely up to you! Also look through the friends lists of the new friends you add to find people you know.
Practice Online Safety
We’ve all heard stories about Facebook accounts being hacked. The best thing you can do to protect your own privacy, as well as protect against hacking, is to set your profile to private. Go to the Privacy Settings and Tools on Facebook and choose Settings and Privacy. There you edit the Who Can See Your Future Posts setting to say, “Friends” or customize those that can access your profile and those who cannot. You should also always avoid accepting friend requests from strangers and, if you get a new friend request, check that person’s profile to make sure they are the person you think they are.
Join Groups
One of the biggest benefits of belonging to Facebook comes with the many groups that have sprung up on the site. In the left column, you’ll see an option to explore groups. Clicking on that will take you to various groups you may be interested in, based on your community, interests, and much more. You can join groups for people who share a hobby you enjoy or live in the same community. You may even find groups for your high school or your hometown.
No matter which social media platform you choose, participation is just a matter of signing up, creating a profile, and communicating with others. You’re more likely to find those people on Facebook, where you can interact with family and friends. As long as you keep your profile private and approach any friend requests with caution, you should be able to enjoy a safe, happy social media experience!