Facebook Request from a Child

podperson

Hi all,

Sorry to start another facebook thread but am just looking for other opinions on whether I'm a little out of touch to be thinking this is strange

Without going into too much detail I go to a group activity once a week. It's a large group, maybe 60 of us, so obviously I know some people there better then others. One of the women there I know to say hello to but not particularly well and we've never really had any in-depth conversations. I don't dislike her or anything we're just in different sections of the group. She has a younger sister who is maybe 11 who has come down to watch us a few times. I know that she's this woman's sister and someone told her name but I've never actually spoken to her.

Today I get a facebook request from the little sister. I don't even have the actual woman as a friend on there so I'm not even sure how she found me as like I said we've never spoken and I didn't even know she knew my name! I've checked her profile and she has about 500 friends :eek: Would you find this weird? I don't want to be ignorant and ignore her but have literally never spoken to her once and like I said she's about 11 so don't know what on earth we would have in common!

I'm also a little concerned that she's obviously just adding anyone at all on facebook and while I'm just a little confused I wouldn't want her to be adding someone who might take advantage of her. Do you think I should mention this to her sister or will she just think I'm over-reacting or interfering?

Gillybean103

I know that 11 is very young for a Facebook account full stop and I've had this argument with my MIL who allow her children to have an account and does not keep an eye on it at all ( but that's a whole different story)

However I know that children do try and outdo their friends with the amount of friends they have on there for some reason so it could be just that but I would definitely mention it to her sister just to be on the safe side

Caroline_a

i would point out to her sister that 11 is too young to have a FB account. Why on earth do parents allow this???

browneyedbazzi

I'd mention it to the sister but I wouldn't make a big issue about it...just next time you see her say 'Your sister added me on facebook - i hope she's not offended but I denied the request because she's so young/i don't know her etc' and then rather than comment specifically about the sister's use of facebook (which could come across as judgemental or meddling) you could mention that you find kids adding people they don't really know and having hundreds of facebook friends risky and that you don't get why they do it. The sister then has the info and it's up to her what to do with it.

mwddrwg

No one under 13 is allowed on Facebook :eek:

Gordon_Hose

Personally, if I didn't actually know someone to talk to, then I wouldn't accept their friend request.

Gillybean103

My friend says if she wouldn't go to lunch with the person then she won't add them.

podperson

Thanks guys, glad it's not just me who thinks she's a little young!
Gordon Hose - I'm exactly the same, if I don't know someone fairly well in RL then I don't see the point in adding them but because she's a kid then feels a little mean to just ignore her

Nicki

My DS is 12 and I'd certainly want to know if he did something so silly and potentially dangerous. Then again, I don't allow him to have a Facebook account yet as he's not old enough, so my views on the subject are already obviously different to this child's family!

OP you know the woman in question, even if only lightly. She may be glad to be told and do something to protect the child's online safety, or she may go off like a rocket if you mention it. You are best placed to guess which is most likely.

Nan63

I don't think you are over-reacting at all. 11 is far too young for a facebook account ('tis an invention of the devil if you ask me anyway!)

I expect she's just trying to get more 'friends' than her mates at school but you should definitely mention it to to your friend.

mrcow

It's not mean at all.

If she's got 500 friends, she's not even going to notice whether you have accepted it or not.

Just decline the request. You have no business/reason to accept it. Quite frankly, it would be weird to have a child that you don't even know on your facebook account.