How Do I Find a Friend on Facebook?

Social networking sites have become extremely popular in recent years. This phenomenon isn't limited to any one age group either: people from all walks of life, at all stages of life, are discovering this convenient and easy way to keep in touch with family and friends. These sites are also patronized because they allow people to create profiles, write blogs, share videos, and much more. In turn, members can view their friends' profiles also.

One of the major social networking sites is Facebook. Founded in 2004, Facebook now has over fifty million users who depend on the site to keep up with friends or find old ones, as well as meet new people. Anyone can join Facebook. You only need a valid email address - no technical experience is needed!

To find a friend that may be using Facebook, go to the homepage. You then have a few options. You can choose to search for your friend using the search box. Simply enter in the name you want. Any possible matches will be pulled up by the site. You can then view a picture to make sure you've got the right person. You then have the option of sending him/her a message through Facebook. This will go directly to his/her Facebook account. You don't get their email address or phone number this way - which is good because it protects their privacy. Another option is to use the Friend Finder. Here you can search by name, high school, college, or company. Again, you can leave messages for anyone you want, but to view a profile, you need to be a member. This is fast and free, and it will allow you to catch up with friends much more easily.

Privacy is always an issue when you go on social networking sites. If you meet new people, be cautious about giving out your personal information. If you do happen to exchange phone numbers, always remember to do a quick phone number lookup to make sure they are who they claim to be. It is worth the few minutes it takes to help ensure your safety.

Susan is a part-time writer and long-time personal fitness trainer with a knack for tech gadgets. You can check out her latest techie project--a tool to find out who owns a cell phone number--at http://www.SearchAnyNumber.com