Google or other pages for a product it will
often show up on Facebook the next time
you log in. That’s because of cookies, and
we’re not talking about the kind you bake.
Cookies are little pieces of information
that are stored every time you search for
something. You’ll notice quite often that
when you click on a page, they will ask you
for permission to store your cookies. Your
cookies, or the products that you click on,
are stored on the internet and can be sold
or transferred to other computer platforms.
The information in your cookies can include
how long you paused on an item you were
shopping for, what types of items you were
looking for, even what your preferred colors
are.
While companies claim that they do this in
the name of “personalizing your shopping
experience,” many people fi nd it downright
creepy. It can also mean that instead of
getting accurate search results, you will
be fed information that correlates with
information you accessed in the past.
One way to stop this practice is to turn
off personal browsing data on your search
browser, such as Google. On Google, you
can do this by going to the gear icon in
the upper righthand corner of a Google
search page, going to “Search settings,” and
scrolling down to and clicking on “Do not use
personal results.”
There are many more fun things you can do
with Facebook. If you look across the very top
of your page you will see your “home” icon
(the little house), your “friends” icon (the little
silhouette of two people), your “pages” icon
(the fl ag), your “videos” icon (the little TV with
an arrow in it) and your “groups” icon (multiple
people).
Want to create a focal point on Facebook for
your dog? Make him a page! Are you bored
and just want some information videos? Click
on the video icon and watch anything from
historical documentaries to murder mystery
breakdowns. There are many games you can
play with others online, in real time, which can
be a bonding experience between you and
family members or friends.
Lastly, on the top righthand side of your page
you will see a little gray circle with multiple dots
in it, your messenger button, your notifi cation
button and a dropdown arrow. The circle with
multiple dots holds a host of different options,
including shopping, community resources,
blood donation information, COVID information
and much more. The dropdown arrow will
take you to your account settings for settings
and privacy, display and accessibility and your
logout option.
While spending too much time on social
media can be a curse, it can also be quite a
blessing. From connecting with childhood
friends, you would have never found other wise
to keeping up with your family’s activities, make
the most of your experience by utilizing every
option that you can. Stay safe, have fun and
keep learning. One day, you might work your
way up to Snapchat!