Anyone know about Facebook?

[Honeycombe8]

I have a Facebook account, but only so that I can participate in some FB groups. I don't "do" Facebook. Which is to say...I don't post anything on my FB pages. No pictures, no messages to other FB people, no "friends." Nothing.

So I don't know how to do FB very well (the settings and all), since I don't "do" FB. But I keep getting Friend requests. I don't ever accept them, because there's nothing on my FB page for them to see. And I don't know them, so there's no reason for me to keep up with their FB pages. I ONLY do those FB groups.

My question is this: Can I turn off the ability for others to request being a "Friend" on my FB page? Or should I politely respond to these people to let them know why I won't accept their request? I just leave the requests sitting there, open.

Is there an established way to handle this?

[ProudMNDemocrat]

1. I ignore most Friend requests....

I think you can belong to groups if you have an account.

Most use Facebook to stay connected to family and friends, promote a business, buy or sell things.

[Honeycombe8]

2. Thanks. Yes, I can participate in those groups because I have a FB account.

That's the only reason I opened an account.

Thanks. Good to know that others ignore friend requests. I didn't know the protocol. I didn't want a bunch of people mad at me.

[ProudMNDemocrat]

5. I belong to a number of FB groups because.......

I learn more things about Period Clothing(which I do professionally), things Historical, various social groups connected to Renaissance Festivals and Pirates, Science Fiction , etc. FB can be an excellent tool if used right.

[Drunken Irishman]

3. Yes. In your privacy settings you're able to put it so no one can request you as a friend...

At least that's how it used to be. Pretty sure it hasn't changed, though.

[Honeycombe8]

7. Thanks! nt

[Drunken Irishman]

11. You're welcome. If you need help, here's how...

Go to settings > privacy settings then you should see an option that says: Who can send you friend requests? To the right should be an edit option. Click it. It brings up a dropdown (should be defaulted EVERYONE) and select 'friends of friends'. Since you have no friends, it should prevent anyone from adding you.

[Honeycombe8]

13. I did it! Thanks so much! Phew. No more requests to worry about. Thanks. nt

[Cattledog]

4. Never respond.

That would mark you as a target. They are phishing to get access. Just delete them. You can change your contact info
by going to the top blue bar clicking on the downward arrow. Click on privacy. Here you will find all the settings for contacts. Good luck!

[Honeycombe8]

6. Great. Thanks! nt

[Iggo]

8. I've heard of it. (n/t)

[Lisa0825]

9. I don't think there is a way to do exactly what you want, but...

If you set it so only friends of friends can send you friend requests, and you don't have any friends, that should mean nobody can find you.

Also make sure each of these settings is on the most restrictive choice (screenshot here):

https://imgur.com/a/dFabr

[Honeycombe8]

14. Thanks! I think I've set all the privacy & friend settings correctly, now. Thanks! nt

[Fullduplexxx]

10. Ignore them they might be trolls trying to find out where you live

[Honeycombe8]

15. Ah. Got it. Thx. nt

[bikebloke]

12. Should be easy.

They give you the option to decline a friend request - a button click. You don't have to give a reason. And the requester is never informed that they were declined.

[Honeycombe8]

16. Oh, I didn't know that. I thought they might be notified and then get angry. Some are neighbors.

I recognize their names. (I participate in a community FB group.) Good to know.