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Based on Alexa’s global traffic rank, ebizma.com has ranked Facebook as one of the top social networking sites as of April 1, 2014.  For this reason, I will focus on this source of new new media for the focus of this blog.

            As with anything concerning putting personal data on the internet, a person should always proceed with caution.  Facebook is particularly fickle, considering that the majority of young users aim for quantity than quality (who can gather the most “friends,” rather than basing their fb friends on those who they actually know).  Statistics gathered by Digital Marketing Ramblings has estimated that the number of fb friends garnered by teens is 300 (www.expandedramblings.com).  With that being said, I will delve into the top ten things that I believe that anyone using Facebook should be aware of.

The dangers of taking “selfies” tops the list: Taking pictures of yourself (aka "selfies") is a popular trend on new new media, as can be seen throughout the many photos of Facebook accounts (including a lot of profiles).  Selfies allows the user to control the angle, lighting, and expression, thus leading often to taking upwards of 10 and 20 photos in order to arrive at that one perceptually pleasing pic.

The bathroom mirror (home and public) rates as one of the best places to take a photo of one's self, which is definitely a lot safer than some places notorious selfie-takers use (www.buzzfeed.com).

If you use Facebook, you need to be aware of the importance of responsible selfie taking.  I am sure all of your friends want to see how cute you manage to look while working it out on the stair climber at Planet Fitness, or see your awesome outfit as you prepare for your 5k (turned half marathon by the time it hits that Facebook post), but snapping these photos while in action may come at a cost.  While being so focused on that perfect pucker as you gaze softly into your phone's camera, you lose the ability to pay attention to your surroundings and may end up running into a tree or falling right off the treadmill.  One thing that is worse than snapping pics while in action is taking photos while driving.  The trend of snapping one's own pic while driving should be avoided all together.  AAA mid-Atlantic reported this dangerous trend of taking pics and even videos while driving, stating that not only is that person's life at stake, but every life around them whether it is passengers in the car or other drivers and pedestrians (www.baltimore.cbslocal.com).

A second point to be aware of when using Facebook is the dangers of downloading the Facebook shortcut apps on your phone and computer.  Having this shortcut available from the main screen of your phone allows quick and immediate access to Facebook.  Once installed, you have the option to install Facebook widgets to grant faster access to the fb tools you use the most (like new post and/or new picture).  Warning: this may be highly addictive and incredibly distracting.  Checking the time on your phone can lead to an hour long foray into Facebook world that started with a little notification on the fb app, signaling new fb activity.  50 status "likes," 10 comments, 4 suggested links and 2 sponsored links later, at least an hour has passed with your text books still closed on your desk, a dinner that is now cold, or an angry customer that is silently steaming on the other side of the counter (www.statisticbrain.com).

Thirdly, I do not advise anyone to respond to posts that pop up on your newsfeed while angry or drunk (especially if you are an angry drunk).  If you are commenting on a post, there is a good chance that the other person is someone you actually know.  Angry and/or drunk posts WILL offend, will most likely lend to a public display that quickly devolves to name calling and character assassination, and will end with you against upwards of three people who have jumped in to defend the initial poster, as well as an "unfriend"ing.  Once the words have been exchanged and you have thoroughly made a fool of yourself despite your attempt to use three and four syllable words to one-up the war you started, the other person wittingly "unfriends" you with a possible "block" to end the ridiculousness you began.  If you have a conscience, the next day you will wonder why you even bothered to send that initial comment to begin with.  It is best to not even go there!

People put words out into digital space via social media and Facebook without considering the implications and ramifications all of the time.  No need to jump on that band wagon, especially if you are fueled by alcohol (www.buzzfeed.com).

Yet another thing to aware of when using Facebook is how annoying it is when a person over uses "LOL" and "BWAHAHAHA," as in the expression of laughter (www.litreactor.com).  There is no need to begin and end your post with this.  Once gets the message through and yes, you are on the only one who finds it funny.  Unless I was there, and most likely I was not.

A lot of people love delving into the personal lives of the rich and famous.  They want to see what their houses look like, know what they wore to the gym, and what they ate for breakfast; however, you are NOT famous and no one wants a detailed account of your daily itinerary!  This leads to the fifth point you need to be aware of when using fb: be aware of what you are posting and where- maybe you need to keep your fb shortcut separate from your diary app!  Keeping them separate should help to minimize posting every mundane detail from the time you woke up until you had baked chicken with angel hair pasta that your husband cooked for dinner and watched American Hustle before changing into your pjs, and getting into bed.

Facebook gives people the option of announcing to the world if he or she is single, in a relationship, married, etc. Some devoted Facebookers like to take it a step further and post intimate photos of them in passionate embraces as they kiss their significant other. Going further, the picture may be accompanied by mushy banter, as the love struck duo profess their deep love for the other (www.yourtango.com).  Moral of the story: be aware of boundaries and a little acronym called "TMI." Most people do not wish to be enlightened as to your amazingly perfect romance, especially when it was Joe one month, Jason the next, & so on.

The jury is still out on number seven: posting gym statuses and food pics on a daily basis. Some people devote their status to berating the legions of people who want everyone to know that they are at Planet Fitness (again) with the aid of the location feature via the GPS on one's phone (www.living.msn.com).  Pictures of amateur chef creations seem to be the icing on the cake (www.living.msn.com).  I propose that when using Facebook, be aware of your audience and your circle of friends.  If they are like-minded individuals, then have at it.  If your list of friends is long and diverse, focused on quantity not quality, then there are groups/pages for that.

Facebook contains groups started by various people based on different interests, from nutrition and exercise to cosplay (the practice of dressing up as a Japanese character from a cartoon, movie, etc.) and witchcraft.  A group  for exercise and nutrition can provide the support, accountability, and a forum in which to post gym statuses and food pictures without angry retaliation from those "friends" who are not supportive and do not understand.

Please be advised that once you post something to fb, there is no taking it back.  Considering this, you might want to think twice before hitting the "post" button (and check your spelling too).  Sure, you can edit a comment, but then it is labeled "edited" and everyone will know that you changed it in some way (unless that does not bother you).  Yes, you can delete posts, but the words appear within the digital realm within milliseconds (www.enwikipedia.org).  Another Facebooker can view your words, save the link, forward it, or take a screenshot within seconds- all between the time you posted and deleted.  So, you might think it is gone, but the words or picture can still be available as a copy (www.en.wikipedia.org).  Even if it was not copied, it still could have been viewed by someone and left a negative impression.  So for tip number eight, I would definitely be aware of what and when you post, and to be aware of spontaneous posting without much of a thought process being involved.

If you are in college or are combing the job market in the hopes of landing employment, I would be aware of what kinds of social activities you post on fb.  Here is a prime example of what I am talking about: a 22 year old female college student is majoring in substance abuse counseling.  She posts about her classes and how she cannot believe that she is one semester closer to being a drug and alcohol counselor.  In the meantime, she posts drunken pictures and comments on Friday and/or Saturday nights and makes it a point to go out to get wasted every weekend with her friends and "pick up" male bartenders.  A person using Facebook should definitely be aware of how a situation like this could possible affect future employment, especially after putting in all of the effort into earning that degree.  What may be worse is the possibility of losing your job due to a thoughtless, spontaneous Facebook post (www.businessinsider.com).

Last but not least, if you use Facebook you should avoid posting political comments, unless you are a politician and have some idea of what you are talking about.  Seriously, everyone’s political opinions vary and it contains hot button issues that can potentially light fires even when it was not intended (www.living.msn.com).  If you wish to voice your opinion on these matters, there are more appropriate forums in which to share (www.living.msn.com). 

Whenever a person ventures out into the digital realm, whether it is via a social network or some type of new media, a certain etiquette and awareness needs to follow in order for it to remain a pleasant experience.  These ten tips in which to be cognizant of when logging into your Facebook account are merely a slight taste of the plethora of obstacles and issues that one can run into; however, following these will definitely mitigate the damages and help you to maintain the friends you have and not make any frienemies.

The following sources were used in the writing of this blog:

Ebizma.com/articles/social-networking-websites. Based on Alexa Global Traffic Rank. Apr. 1, 2014.  Accessed March 30, 2014.

en.wikipedia.org. Internet.Web. March 31, 2014.

Expandedramblings.com. DMR Digital Marketing Ramblings. Number of friends teens have on Facebook. Web. March 30, 2014.

Statisticbrain.com/social-networking-statistics. Jan.1, 2014. Social networking statistics. Web. March 31, 2014.

Hart, Rob. Litreactor.com. Top 10 words that need to die, immediately. Feb. 24, ’12. Web. March 31, 2014.

 Lewis, Luke. Buzzfeed.com. 24 things you only do when you’re drunk. You booze, you lose. Oct. 24, ’13. Web. March 30, 2014.

Living.msn.com. Inspired Life. 20 things your friends wish you’d stop posting on Facebook. Web. March 31, 2014.

Love, Dylan. Businessinsider.com. 17 people who were fired for  using Facebook. May 11, ’11. Web. April 1, 2014.