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Norkie

Norkie

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Hi all, I’m going to join a community group, they keep in contact via Facebook. I’m not a fan but I may ‘need’ to have an account to keep in touch with other members.

Can I use a username rather than my given name? Will my real name be visible to other Facebook users?

I’m not paranoid, just don’t want my details spread around the world!

Thanks and take care ;)
 
I know a number of people who use pseudonyms on FB. They work in organisations where they need to avoid people tracking them down through their friends and family (or vice versa)
IIRC You're supposed to use your real name so something not too obviously fake would be my suggestion.
 
I was going to create an account in my real name, I just wondered if I can use a different name to keep in contact with the other members.

After all I am Norkie on here, so can I not be Norkie, for example on FB?
 
AMcUK said:
I know a number of people who use pseudonyms on FB. They work in organisations where they need to avoid people tracking them down through their friends and family (or vice versa)
IIRC You're supposed to use your real name so something not too obviously fake would be my suggestion.
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There are plenty of people using obviously fake names on Facebook so I'm not sure there's any rule to say you have to use your real one.
 
Norkie said:
I was going to create an account in my real name, I just wondered if I can use a different name to keep in contact with the other members.

After all I am Norkie on here, so can I not be Norkie, for example on FB?
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As long as nobody else is using it, yes.
 
Google confirmed there is a rule, it depends if you care.

Names allowed on Facebook | Facebook Help Centre

Facebook is a community where everyone uses the name they go by in everyday life.
www.facebook.com www.facebook.com

Names allowed on Facebook
Facebook is a community where everyone uses the name they go by in everyday life. This makes it so that you always know who you're connecting with.
What isn't allowed?

Symbols, numbers, unusual capitalisation, repeating characters or punctuation.
Characters from multiple languages.
Titles of any kind (e.g. professional, religious).
Words or phrases in place of a name.
Offensive or suggestive words of any kind.

If your name follows our standards and you're still having trouble changing it, find out why.
Things to bear in mind

The name on your profile should be the name that your friends call you in everyday life. This name should also appear on a form of ID or document from our ID list.
Nicknames can be used as a first or middle name if they're a variation of your authentic name (such as Bob instead of Robert).
You can also list another name on your account (e.g. maiden name, nickname, professional name).
Profiles are for individual use only. You can create a Page for a business, organisation or idea.
Pretending to be anything or anyone isn't allowed.
 
i know a few people who are teachers and have swerved there real names a bit so kids cant find them one of them is a bit like "Bob Davies becomes Bob Gravy"
 
Mr Bump said:
i know a few people who are teachers and have swerved there real names a bit so kids cant find them one of them is a bit like "Bob Davies becomes Bob Gravy"
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That’s a good idea, I like that :)
 
I used Bob S Yeruncle on Facebook for years then they asked me to provide proof that that was my real name.....I couldn't so had to change it
 
As somebody with a teacher for a wife and a policeman in the family, I know that a variation on your name that would still make it near impossible for a random to find you via a speculative search is going to be absolutely fine, but a clearly made up 'silly' one isn't. Most do that so that their friends still know who they are actually communicating with.

You could of course have an entirely made up but 'realistic' name ("John Smith") and the chances of it ever being an issue are vanishingly small.
 
Thank you for your suggestions, very helpful ;)
I think what I'll do is change my surname ever so slightly, I'll still use my first name but 'play' with my surname. People who know me will recognise me but as you say, a speculative search will yield nothing :)
 
Norkie said:
Thank you for your suggestions, very helpful ;)
I think what I'll do is change my surname ever so slightly, I'll still use my first name but 'play' with my surname. People who know me will recognise me but as you say, a speculative search will yield nothing
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There is nothing to stop you using whatever name you like on Facebook.

However if for any reason someone reports your account (happens a lot on Facebook) it will trigger an identity check. Facebook will request you provide them with I.D and if you can't they will lock your account and you won't be able to access it.

I know quite a few people this has happened too. A lot of teachers for obvious reasons don't use their real name on Social media and they run into their account getting locked often.
 
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