face book

For the first time, Facebook.com is facing the realities of being used by predators.
Wildly popular with college students - but now attracting an increasing number of minors and adults - the social networking site known for its elaborate privacy controls is tackling some of the same safety issues that for years have dogged its chief rival, MySpace.com.When the site was launched in February 2004, Facebook members were required to have a valid e-mail address issued by a college, university or alumni association. In late 2005, the website established high school networks, and students needed an e-mail address from their school to sign up.With membership peaking at 8 million in September, Facebook opened access to all Internet users. In less than six months, the site's popularity has doubled to 16 million users, about two-thirds of whom are enrolled in college or high school.Facebook is made up of 47,000 networks - individual schools, companies or regions - which are each independent and closed to non-affiliated users. Most Facebook users can view less than 0.5 percent of the site's total profil.