But for Frank Bria of Gilbert, Ariz., safety is not really a top concern. He does remove some of his hunting pictures if his wife thinks they are too harsh and also amends updates and posts if needed, but he says he doesn't really worry about the information he puts online.

Likewise, Daniel Heintz, 37, of Sequim, Wash., doesn't worry much about what he puts out on Facebook.

From his perspective, Facebook is a great tool to keep in touch with family and also garner feedback on his business pursuits. He is friends with four generations of family, including cousins, aunts, siblings and even his own mother.

"I'm hooked," Heintz wrote in an e-mail message. "In fact, although I used to be an avid Web-surfer, I now find it difficult to imagine sites I'd rather check out."

In regards to why so-called "older" users are now flocking to the site, Heintz said he believes it is "for the same reasons all human contact interests all humans."

"We are not stones," he wrote.

But either way, Braithwaite would rather keep her mother in the "Stone Age," at least as long as she can.

"On one hand, I don't care, she can do whatever she wants," Braithwaite said. "But I'd rather not help that process along."

E-mail: nwarburton@desnews.com

Facebook by the numbers

More than 175 million active users

Fastest growing demographic is peopleage 30 or older

120 friends per average user

Users spend more than 3 billion minutes each day on Facebook.

Stats on social networking

More than 70 percent of Facebook users are outside the United States.

Courtesy: FacebookStats on social networkingPercentage of adults with a profile on a social network site:

75 percent of adults age 18-24

57 percent of adults age 25-34

30 percent of adults age 35-44

19 percent of adults age 45-54

10 percent of adults age 55-64

7 percent of adults age 65 and older

How adults use their social network profile:

89 percent to stay in touch with friends

57 percent to make plans with friends

49 percent to make new friends

Courtesy: Pew Internet and American LIfe Project