The social networking sites ready to take Facebook's crown

Facebook has become an essential part of the modern student's life, but with privacy concerns and users drowning in applications, is it time to move on to something better?

From micro-blogging to digital petitioning, there are plenty of sites to meet our social networking needs.

Many of us are familiar with giants like Myspace, Friendster, and Bebo, but here's a look at sites that offer its users something a bit different.

Pownce is a great example of a site that tries to be a little more.

It gives users the chance to express themselves - something Facebook seemed to lack - from choosing the design of their profiles to cute alternatives to the male/female option (maybe you're more of a dude or bloke, or a lady or chicky-poo).

Though one of the biggest complaints with Facebook is the overabundance of applications, there are some of us who just wouldn't give them.

For us, there are sites like ProfileHeaven and The Student Center Network.

The first claims to offer users the "most advanced profile on the net", and has not only videos, music, and a very active forum but also an arcade.

The Student Center Network's average age of 17 may put some people off, but this site also has loads of fun features.

On the other side of the social networking spectrum are micro-blogging sites, which are like the status update section of Facebook expanded into an entire site.

The most popular site is Twitter, where users write short descriptions of what they're doing to keep their friends up to date.

There is, however, a more developed - and much more addictive - micro-blogging site called Utterz that won't leave you so starved for a little variety.

Its users not only write blurbs, but also post pictures, videos, and "voice utterz".

For users on the go, there are also sites like Moonscape and Mobikade exclusively for mobile devices.

Another option is to move on to more specialist sites.

One of the most popular is Linked In, a site where you don't have friends but connections and your profile is more like a resume.

With job listings a major focus, this site may seem like another monster.co.uk, but it will undoubtedly be a valuable tool when we graduate and move into the workforce.

Facebook has become an essential part of the modern student's life, but with privacy concerns and users drowning in applications, is it time to move on to something better?

Charlotte Currie

Other sites focus on specific interests, such as Sounded, a slick networking site devoted to music.

For the readers among us, there is also aNobii, which is built around users' bookshelves.

With over 4,500,000 books reviewed, it's a great place to get recommendations as well as find people with similar tastes.

Care2 is another great way to meet new people with similar interests, and it's a social networking site with a cause.

Its over 8 million members do more than share photos; they can join topical debates, learn how to live green, and even start their own petitions online.

Blog-based Experience Project works to connect people who have gone through similar things in their lives.

Individuals post their experiences and you can respond, rate, post similar experiences, or send the author a private message.

For more of a collaborative feel, there is Dandelife. This site is all about collective storytelling, which users contribute to by creating a timeline of their lives and reading the timelines of fellow users.

From this short overview, it's clear that Facebook needs to keep an eye on its competition.

The days of wall-posts and poking may soon be a thing of the past, so check these sites out for yourself and leave your Facebook days behind you!