There you are, cleaning out your Yahoo! email box when you run across a random friend request. The woman looks harmless and attractive. She's got sane-looking friends. In fact, she may even have one or two mutual acquaintances. She now wants to be your Facebook friend. After all, isn't that what Facebook is all about? Connecting people...networking...etc., etc. etc. This is true. But before you click that "Confirm" button, you might want to think again. Beefing your Friends List number may seem like an added plus. But there are some hidden (and not-so-hidden) repercussions to padding your Friends list people you don't know.
Reason #1: A Notch on the Facebook Friend Belt
There are some individuals in this world for whom Facebook is like the ultimate popularity contest. For these people, having hundreds and hundreds of Friends is tantamount to a badge of honor. You may not mind being the friend of people who never actually contact you. But do you really want to be just another Facebook Friend "placeholder?"
Reason #2: Prevent "Leaks"
If a strange man walked up to you in the street and said: "Show me pictures of you in a bikini. And while you're at it, let me see some of those sexy photos you took with your ex-boyfriend. By the way, how much alcohol do you drink? And have you ever had a one night stand?" If you happen to comply with his requests, then you might as well accept every Facebook Friend request from every stranger who asks. Yes, Facebook has plenty of safeguards to help you keep your personal information to yourself. But plenty of instances occur where one casual comment has led a Facebook-er to discover something that was just a little too personal. Guarding your information starts with guarding the circle of friends you share it with.
Reason #3: Unwanted Solicitation
Accepting Friend requests from those you don't know (no matter how many "mutual" buddies you have) is like signing up for every free Internet offer known to man. Facebook is a great place for networking. As such, plenty of people find that the online social network is terrific for generating a little helpful word of mouth for their goods or services. But if someone you don't know is hitting you up to be Friends, let this be a red flag. Why would someone with whom you've never spoken want to be your friend? Chances are, if you check out the Facebook page, he/she is doing some sort of "marketing"—and just might have a hidden agenda for adding you to his/her list.
Reason #4: Hidden Spies
You've blocked some people from your Facebook page. Maybe you've even removed a Friend or two. But by accepting a "friendly" invite from a stranger, you could be opening up your private life to someone who you wish to have no contact with whatsoever. It isn't uncommon for blocked Friends to go on a fishing expedition—utilizing another's computer and/or Facebook account to seek you out. Sure, this theory smells slightly of paranoia. But stranger things have happened.
Reason #5: Safety First.
The most obvious reason not to befriend strangers on Facebook is to preserve your safety. Clearly, not everyone in the world has the best intentions. The information you share online (such as when you're going to be on vacation) seems perfectly innocent to you. But this fun-filled info could be used for evil. You might find yourself the victim of a crime merely because a resourceful "Stranger/Facebook Friend" has gleaned your address or workplace information. Our lovely little technological devices make sharing such a wonderful thing. In fact, "over-sharing" appears to be the new wave of the future. Unfortunately, doing also invites a world of trouble.
SOURCES:
www.facebook.com
www.thefrisky.com
www.about.com
www.yourtango.com
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