Reasons Why You Should Avoid Strangers On Facebook..

We all are social media addicts and any addiction is not healthy. Most people on a social media platform like to check Facebook and make new friends everyday. Facebook is meant for socializing and keeping in touch with our friends but one should not befriend strangers on a public platform like Facebook. Always be careful when accepting requests on Facebook. Never accept strangers. Always ensure friend requests from people you know are genuine. The reason for saying this are given below:

RISK OF IDENTITY THEFT:

Identity theft is the processes involved in collecting sufficient personal information from a victim in order for a scammer to take on the identity of the victim. Because of the anonymous nature of the Internet most forms of identity theft and fraud now take place online. A scammer can initiate a scam that will immediately allow them to commit identity theft.

LEAKED PERSONAL INFORMATION:

Accepting strangers into your Facebook life gives them access to such personal information. Even information like friends names, holiday plans, likes and dislikes can be compiled and stolen and of course you can potentially give away more sensitive information like your photos, phone number and address.

RISK OF MALICIOUS LINKS:

It’s not a secret that sites like Facebook are exploited by strangers who flood the sites with links that can lead to a number of harmful scams. Befriending strangers on Facebook can put you at risk. If  the stranger happens to be a scammer, they can post links on your timeline or send messages.

VULNERABLE PEOPLE AT RISK TO COMMIT SERIOUS CRIME:

All sorts of criminals use Facebook and the media have often reported on how underage users have been tricked into dangerous meetings. Where all sorts of crimes can be committed including robbery and blackmail. At times a victim is tricked into sending over money to a scammer under the false assertion that they are in some sort of relationship. Moreover accepting strangers puts almost anyone at risk to crimes such as stalking and harassment.

PRIVACY AT RISK:

Would you tell a stranger when your house is going to be empty? May be you’re off on holiday or a work trip. All this information is often published on Facebook which is fine if it is only seen by your friends, whom you trust. But if you’re also broadcasting that information to strangers then it is not a good idea.

FRIENDS AT RISK:

If someone sends you an invitation to be their friend, then mutual friends suggest the person can be trusted. So if you accept a stranger and that stranger goes on to add your other friends, those friends may accept the invitation under the assertion that the stranger knows you. This puts your friends at risk to the same types of scams.

ISOLATION:

Talking with strangers will make you suffer from isolation. One will tend to be glued to the computer instead of moving out of the house and meeting people. Normal socializing that is interacting with people is also essential which you might stop when interacting with strangers.

EMOTIONAL DAMAGE:

While talking with friends on social media, there is lack of emotional connectivity since one does not meet the other person. Feelings when shared in person have more impact than on Facebook. The feelings of care and warmth are there when the communication is face to face. There is a decrease in face to face communication.

DISTRACTIONS:

Browsing Facebook does distract one’s mind from many other activities. One can be involved in constructive activities that keeps one’s mind healthy. Merely spending hours on Facebook and conversing via it is not healthy.

LACK OF BODY LANGUAGE COMMUNICATION:

Body language conveys a lot. In Facebook browsing there is no body language communication as one does not interact with another person. It can mislead anyone at any point of time. One can write whatever he wants and the emotions of person on receiving end can be damaged