Last week I posted my dilemma on my Facebook (FB) status. "How do I delete 'unwanted friends' from my FB list?" It is a dilemma brought to surface after I realized that there are so many people on my lists whom I have no clue what so ever of their identities! To make it even worse, I noticed that they are also on my children's lists - and my childrens' have accepted their requests because I appear as their common friend. Huh, and the most acidic of all factors, I realized too that a few of them do not even display their real pictures, and have no pictures of real family members, or real friends. Alarm bell rings!!!
Twice, friends of mine sent me messages asking, "Pp, so and so requested to be on my FB and you are the only common friend. Do you know him/her?" The answer to both, "No, I do not know any of them!"
Wise of my friends to have asked. Not wise of me to have added without first checking their authenticity!
Why am I being so paranoid? There could be no valid reasons what so ever. However there are possibilities, no matter how remote, of someone with bad intention have ended up as 'friends' on FB and got to see my personal photos, those of my family members, know where I live and what I do on almost daily basis, and what time I go to sleep, and what I eat, etc etc. No, I would not mind sharing those private information with friends, and by friends I meant someone whom I know and whose identity I can trace.
I have thought enough, and I still hesitate about deleting! I care not to hurt people's feelings. I worry that I may offend someone with genuine good intentions. I fear that I may miss the fun of reading some of those funny status statements. So, I have not yet deleted anyone...such feeble heart I have!
I googled for help, looking for tips from others. I found this link quite enlightening.
After reading the article in the link above, I have gathered just enough gut, and have increased my rational in doing what I need to do. Friendship, has a limit....if the value of friendship is to be preserved.
