Facebook...or Stalkerbook?

Picture editor Aimee Leabon wonders if we've all gone a little Facebook mad...

I've never really understood the obsession with Facebook. Don't get me wrong, I understand the concept but even I was a little shocked when I found out you could 'poke' people online (this was all cleared up after a very awkward conversation). Despite this, it has certainly developed a huge cult following. Take the Cosmo office, for example. Facebook can be accessed between the hours of midday and 1pm. It's a time I like to refer to as 'Facebook hour', because everyone logs in at approximately 12.01pm and logs out about 59 minutes later.

Despite my reluctance to join, I must admit that the idea of Facebook fascinates me. In my very in-depth research I've discovered there are two types of Facebook users. There are those who use Facebook as a social networking tool to reconnect with old school mates, loved ones living overseas and anyone else they may have lost touch with over the years. Then, there is the second type of user - 'Face-Stalkers' - who use Facebook to 'check up' on people as opposed to checking in with them to organise a lunchtime catch-up or Friday night drinks. These users are more common than you think, and for this reason I've begun to think of Facebook as 'Stalkerbook'.

Since logging onto 'Stalkerbook' and experiencing it for myself, I can understand the addiction. Within ten 10 minutes, I discovered that an old school friend has moved to Darwin and the 'it' couple I’ve known for years have gone their separate ways. There are also numerous unauthorised photos of me from parties that have been posted for the world to see for who knows how long. Uh-oh. I'm one of those users. And no-one is safe.

As for getting my own profile? Um, I've decided against it. Hey, I've got to protect myself from 'Face-Stalkers' just like me. After all, it takes one to know one.