Facebook is shutting down. Facebook is going to delete all of your photos and information. Facebook’s founder Mark Zuckerberg has had enough and thinks the 500 million Facebook users should go get a life–and some friends in the real world.

Is there any truth to these claims that Facebook is shutting down? Will Facebook really close down and go offline on March 15?

No. It’s the latest Internet rumor/hoax.

But chalk it up to the power of the Internet to spread a story like this.

In the erroneous story, Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg tells users to get all their content offline by March 15 or risk losing their photos forever. And then says that users should place a priority on making real friends, vs. virtual ones on Facebook.

Although that sentiment is true…the story is false and Facebook is not going away on March 15, or any other date.

Facebook, Linked In, Twitter, blogs–they all form a vast social and virtual network. A place to exchange ideas and information in fast and easy-to-use format. A good rule of thumb, in my opinion, is to never say something on Facebook or Twitter or a blog that you wouldn’t say to your parents, kids, teachers, or pastor.

Use social networks for what they were designed for–sharing the best parts of our lives with people who are far away. They will never replace the vulnerability and authenticity that comes from true, life-on-life friendship.