Sometimes I get Facebook friend requests from people I have zero interest in interacting with on the platform, but feel I can’t just reject or ignore (think “in-laws”.)
I know it’s easy enough to unfollow them in order to prevent seeing their posts on my timeline - how do I easily/discreetly prevent THEM from seeing what I post, what I comment on, what events I join, what photos I’m tagged in, etc?
Mouseover the name of the bozo in question until you get the popup showing their portrait and info. On the bottom of that popup will be a menu labeled Friends. Use that to add them to your “Acquaintances” list. Then, set your default post visibility to “Friends, except Acquaintances.”
Using lists like friedo suggests will prevent posts from being seen by them, but they would still get notifications if for example you “like” or comment on a post that they also have ability to see. i.e. anything set to public, or made by friends of this friend. They will get notified when you become friends with someone, when you ‘check in’ to a location, when you like any public page or group, etc.
Facebook’s main goal is to share as much as you’re wiling to let them with as many people as they possibly can. Having people in your friends list that you don’t want to share these things with is totally contrary to their entire setup.
Either don’t friend them in the first place, or unfriend them. If they even notice, just say “I dunno. Must be a FB screw up. I’ll get right on it.” Then ignore it.
You’re not “ignoring” them. it was an accident. Honest.
I’ve never tried out the “restricted” list, but it might be useful to you. See https://www.facebook.com/help/?faq=206571136073851#How-do-I-add-someone-to-my-Restricted-list?
If I read the description of “restricted” correctly, making use of that as well as using “public” access as little as possible should help.
Note I said “should help”, not “will fix your problem”
Really? I don’t think I ever get notifications for things like simple “likes” (unless they’re directly connected to me).