What is Twitter?

Twitter is a micro-blog. This is a social networking website that people can sign up for, and send out regular updates on what they are doing. The catch is, it needs to be said in less than 140 characters. Your updates are called “tweet”.

How does it work?

Firstly, you sign up to get a free account. Then you can search for people to follow that can be anyone from friends of yours to celebrities or politicians that you are interested in. People may ask to follow you too, and you can accept them so they can see your regular updates. On your homepage, Twitter asks, “What are you doing?” and you start your tweets with answering that question.

Why is Twitter useful?

People use Twitter to share information and discuss subjects of interest. It is free to use and really easy to update quickly.

Want to know more about Twitter?

Sign up and start tweeting: www.twitter.com

If you want to include a URL in your tweets, you may need help making it fit into the character limitations: www.tinyurl.com

- Excerpted from the Department of Education’s Technology Guide for Parents: Click