Social networking websites provide web-based tools that allow users to interact or share information about themselves, as well as find, meet, and chat with other members. One of the most popular and largest social sites is Facebook, founded in 2004 by Mark Zuckerberg and his friends. Having started at Harvard University, Facebook currently has millions of active users worldwide. The power of friends, pokes, and likes has been hugely successful around the world, manipulating users of all ages, from grandparents to teenagers to children. Strom pointed out that “Customer Reports magazine found that more than 7 million active Facebook users were under the minimum age of 13; more than 5 million were 10 years old or younger” (Strom 49). With the growing popularity of Facebook, controversies have arisen regarding its negative and positive effects on its users. Some negative effects suggest that users spend too much time on it and find it addictive, and they also have difficulty protecting their privacy and security. Conversely, the positive effects are that it could help people spread information and connect with family or friends around the world. First, one of the downsides of Facebook is that many people spend too much time there and find the social networking site addictive. Bugeja stated that “nationally, Facebook records 250 million visits every day and ranks ninth in overall Internet traffic” (Bugeja 399). People spent too much time browsing or viewing other people's photos via Facebook, sharing their comments on the website, uploading photos, chatting with their friends and being extremely concerned about updating , creation and encouragement... middle of paper. .....students, former teachers, college friends or different people from anywhere in the world. Roger mentions that “these sites also allow people to stay in touch with a wide circle of friends and colleagues” (Roger 49). Therefore, Facebook allows people to stay in touch with friends and family, which contributes to the positive effect of social networks. Facebook has changed the way people communicate and share information with other people around the world. One of its advantages is that it allows people to communicate all over the world. On the other hand, people realize that Facebook can be dangerous because it does not guarantee the security of their personal information, or that of users. In addition, Facebook takes a lot of time because some users find it difficult to put it down, they cannot stop using it, and even distract some employees and students..