To Poke Or Not To Poke: A Crash Course In Facebook Etiquette

by Caty Dickensheets
12/07/2007

Due to the brilliance of Mark Zuckerberg, Facebook’s creator, there are 55 million people with active Facebook accounts.

In a 2006 study conducted by Student Monitor, a New Jersey-based company specializing in research concerning the college student market, Facebook was named as the second most "in" thing among undergraduates, tied with beer and sex and losing only to the iPod.

While Facebook is a useful took for keeping in touch with friends and family, it has become a free-for-all of inappropriate posting, applications and pictures. What is the purpose of the “SuperPoke” application that allows users to bite, chest bump or even throw a sheep at whomever they wish?

As of October 2007, there are over 6,500 applications. Isn’t that a bit much?

Facebook is an incredibly popular social networking tool. You can see thousands of profiles, but they can also see you. A Friday night’s drunken behavior converted into a photo gallery or a crude wall post could lose you a job or internship.

Here are a few Facebook rules of etiquette to poke by:

1. Profile information is a public representation of you.

From relationship status to music taste, people can see everything you choose to display. That being said, do not put up inside jokes with sexual innuendos as quotes. Do not say you’re looking for “Random Play” or “Whatever I Can Get” in your relationship status. It is tacky.

Not to sound like a bitter Betty, but your profile is about you, not your girlfriend or boyfriend. Avoid quoting their love for you or cheesy, posed pictures of you together. You date. We get it.

2. Don’t friend someone you don’t know.

If you do not know the person, no matter how many friends you have in common, do not friend them. It’s creepy.

3. Poke with moderation and caution.

Poking is not a form of flirting, or a way of telling people that you like them. Guys, if you like a girl, call her on the phone and ask her on a date. Do not stalk them on Facebook. This is the rough equivalent of pulling their hair or pushing them down on the playground.

4. Keep Wall Posts and Pictures PG-rated.

With over 1.5 million photos uploaded daily, there are bound to be some that are less than appropriate.

No one wants to see how “wasted” or “hammered” or "wastehammered" you and your friends were last Friday night, so please do not post pictures of you doing body shots and keg stands in your subtly named album, “I almost got arrested last night.”

We know you enjoy drinking, but that still doesn’t make you cool. If your mother would disapprove of the clothing (or lack of clothing) that you are wearing in your profile picture, do not put it up. If your employer would disapprove of the language your friends use on your wall, delete it.

5. Do not stalk. It is creepy.

If you stalk people on Facebook there is a chance you will make awkward comments to people you barely know like: "I really like your new profile picture. Your sweater really brings out the color of your eyes" or “I noticed on your Facebook profile that you like running so I’ve been going to the track at Ramsey Center to watch for you.”

People will most likely not take that as a compliment. They’ll probably run away from you. There might be cops.

Most importantly, be polite and considerate of others when using this social online tool. Don’t put too much of yourself in public view. If people want to get to know you, they will on their own time, not online. Keep it classy.