All over the world, millions of people are using websites like Facebook, Bebo and MySpace as a way to create online communities to stay in touch with friends, share information and discuss shared interests.
To use these sites you will normally need to first register and set up your own profile on the site. You can add pictures and information about yourself to your profile. Once you have set up you can then start communicating with others who are registered – old friends and new. This might be people living just down the road or who live on the other side of the world.
By connecting online in this way, millions of people have created what can be described as networks – often referred to as ‘social networks’. Groups of people with some shared interest who communicate frequently, sharing thoughts, ideas, news, events, personal stories, photos, video clips, etc. Whilst many of us enjoy physically getting together over a cup of tea to talk amongst friends, the internet offers an alternative way to do this; this might be hugely important if you’re isolated, struggle to get out or your child has a rare condition.
How to set up a profile
If you’re new to social networking websites you will first need to set up a profile on one of them. Popular social networking sites include Facebook, Bebo and MySpace. You can register simply by visiting one of these websites, using your email address to set up an account and following the instructions on how to set up your profile.
Contact a Family on social networking sites
Contact a Family has created its own group or profile on a range of social networking websites such as Facebook, MySpace and Bebo. We’re using these sites to help parents of disabled children to make contact and share information. Our profiles and groups have been set up by Contact a Family staff who contribute regularly to them, posting practical and helpful information, podcasts and links to information on all aspects of caring for a disabled child.
View our profiles or add us as a friend
Contact a Family on Second Life
Second Life is an online 3D virtual world and social networking site where Contact a Family has opened a virtual advice service - an online ‘office’. On this site users create a character and move and talk with others in a virtual world that looks very similar to a computer game. Our office is open every Wednesday from 10am-4pm when it is staffed by a Contact a Family advisor named Advisor Somerflek. It is also somewhere you can access a wide range of our publications or even talk to other ‘avatars’ (virtual people) visiting the office.
Visit our office anytime in Second Life using these co-ordinates: Aloft Island 19.40.22. Alternatively, you can search for Contact a Family in Second Life or add our avatar, Advisor Somerflek to your friends list.
Advice for parent support groups to set up social networking sites
If you’re interested in getting involved or developing a similar network for a support group you’re involved with Contact a Family can offer advice about how best to go about doing this.
For more information contact our New Media Advisor, Louis Yung-Hoi, Tel: 020 7608 8727, e-mail: louis.yung-hoi@cafamily.org
|
|
|
|
Cash Counts
Donate Now
Subscribe to 
