Is it ok to have an account on Facebook?

Facebook has more than 100 million users with different age, faith and reasons for visiting. For Christian youth, Facebook might have different useful uses. However, the downside of Facebook might be greater than the benefits. Many youth who are using facebook are doing it so much that they don’t have time for the reflection that Christians should engage in and neglecting important areas of their spiritual life. A recent research showed that Christian students who reported using social media,  "displayed some guilt about using it too much". Other concerns are discussed below by H. G. Bishop Youssef on the same topic.

Q: I would like to ask Your Grace's opinion about popular social networking sites such as "MySpace" and "MyCrib", and other sites such as these that are very heavily used by Coptic Youth.

A: Unfortunately this overuse of networking is placing our youth in jeopardy. As for MyCrib, MySpace and Facebook, there is some concern. Gossiping and public criticism and condemnation of others has become quite offensive. The pictures of the youth that are posted are compromising to their dignity as Christians; and for some, even more so because they are pre-servants and servants. The youths participating in these activities may not have negative intentions, but too much negative outcomes have resulted. We may not be able to stop them from engaging in these activities altogether, but as parents or servants, we can intervene by setting boundaries as to what is acceptable and what is not; and consistently encourage them to agree to operate within the appropriate guidelines.