Dealing with Unsolicited Requests on Social Media: What to Do

It's very common when using social media platforms like Quora, to receive unsolicited messages from strangers, especially when personal information is visible. Here are some strategies to handle such situations and protect your privacy.

Ignoring Unsolicited Requests

Keep It Simple and Firm: If someone reaches out to you in a way that feels unwanted, a simple no is often the best response. This can be helpful in situations like this:

Stranger: "I am single. Can you drop your number for me so we can chat on WhatsApp?"

Response: No. No. Nein. Niet. I make a habit of not giving random folk any of my contact details.

Strategically Responding

For users who are more outgoing or want to maintain a level of engagement while ensuring their privacy, there are ways to politely and effectively handle these situations:

If you are interested: "Yes, would love to!"

If you need more information: "I would love to, can you tell me more about yourself?"

If you want to keep the conversation online: "Not in WhatsApp. I prefer to keep our conversation here on Quora."

Explaining Your Position

It's perfectly okay to explain why you prefer not to share contact information or engage with strangers that way:

Stranger: "Why in the world would I ever want to give you my number."

Response: I don't chat with scumbags, losers, and scammers. Fuck off.

Another example:

Stranger: "Can I get your WhatsApp number so we can chat"

Response: No, fuck off creep. Quora is NOT a hookup site.

Declining with Context

Some people might assume that simply avoiding a question means you are open to a relationship or want to know more. It's important to be clear and direct:

Stranger: "Nope"

Response: I don't have a WhatsApp. I just use this phone on my Wi-Fi. When you're just using Wi-Fi and not getting service for the phone, you cannot have a WhatsApp app. I am just purchasing Wi-Fi on my internet and I am just using this old phone to get on the internet with. If you want to try to get ahold of me, you can message me on here or...

Conclusion

Handling unsolicited requests can be challenging, but maintaining your privacy and personal boundaries is essential. Remember, you are under no obligation to share your personal contact information or engage in online interactions that make you uncomfortable.

Protecting your privacy and your time on social media involves being firm, clear, and tactful. If you face persistent and unwanted messages, it's important to take steps to secure your account and protect yourself from potential harassment or scams.