Facebook - Should I sign up?

What do you think?

I have been toying with the idea for some months now and I am not too sure.  I have heard of incidents where people have not been treated very well in terms of the site being used to spread gossip.  Or perhaps that is just s certain age group.

I would like to link up to web sites that use the site to promote groups/challenge/products etc because none of my family are actually on Facebook, so it would not be for keeping in contact etc.  We prefer to use emails or the telephone.

Would it help my new web shop?

Is it easy to use?  I am still getting to grips with my web shop which uses Wordpress, so anything else that is too tricky may just be a programme too far for my poor old brain.

Is there anything that I should be aware of?

I am not over cautious as such but I do not want to start something that I will then need to pull out of. I know someone who started Pinterest but then cancelled their account due to having their pictures used to promote someone Else's workshops.  

It would be nice to hook up with the few friends that I have that do have a Facebook account.

What do you think?  Do you have a Facebook account?  Do you use it much? 

Would it help with promotion and is it idiot proof?

Off to look after a poorly nine year old.  Sophie is still not very well at all poor thing.

A telly day I think.

xx