A few weeks ago, I'd only cursorily heard of Facebook , the social networking site beloved by school and college leavers wanting to keep in touch with old buddies. Three weeks ago, I had a call from my mate, who said his sister had said he should get on this Facebook thing. He looked at it, said it was [word edited] and wouldn't join.

He now loves it. And so do I. If I'd taken up smoking or drinking, the factor involved would be called peer pressure. I remain utterly amazed at just how many people I know have joined up to this thing. First, it was at work. OK, we work in a technology-orientated company full of reasonably young people so it's not surprising that most have found Facebook somewhat of a novelty.

But the last week has seen a growth in hordes of my less net-savvy buddies joining up to the service. And it's astounding. I now have over 90 people on my Facebook. It's not like MySpace where anyone can be your mate. I have personally vetted every single one of these people. And I know them all. Maybe I don't know them in the way that I see them every day. Maybe I haven't seen them for years. But it's absolutely fascinating and so incredibly addictive.

Millions of others have clearly found the same. Figures compiled by comScore for MediaGuardian.co.uk showed 500,000 UK users in October, 1.35 million in December and 2.67 million in March. At the end of last month, the stattos estimated there were 3.69 million UK-based Facebookers.

Now people post old photos of me I had no idea existed. Other people comment on them. I found one bloke I thought might be dead. I go to the pub and everyone is on Facebook. We had a BBQ for my girlfriend's mates last weekend. They're all on Facebook too. In fact, they're now all on my Facebook. There's even a Facebook pressure group trying to get one of my more reluctant friends to join.

I could go on. Quite simply though, this is why people love the internet. And at the moment it seems like fun. But, like that other net heavy beginning with G and ending in oogle, they want to own you, your information and give you other stuff .

Still at the moment, I just don't care.