How to Open a Personal Message on Facebook

You receive a red flag notification on your homepage each time you get a new message.

While a large percentage of the communication on Facebook takes place somewhat publicly on profile walls, you can also send private messages. Use the private-message application to send messages of a more personal nature or to open a conversation with more than one friend at once. Private messages may also be exchanged with people not on your friend list, so long as the user has not disabled nonfriends from sending her a message.

Instructions

1. Point your browser to the Facebook homepage and log in, if prompted.

2. Click the "Messages" link in the upper left corner of the homepage, just under the thumbnail of your profile picture.

3. Open an existing conversation by clicking the name of the friend or friends involved in the message.

4. Open a new message by clicking the "New Message" button at the top of the screen.