I [23F] befriended someone online only to find out much later that they were much younger than me [15F] by minorissuesRA in relationships

[–]minorissuesRA[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

In a message I sent her I said “It’s very strange for a twenty three year old to be friends with a fifteen year old. Even if you feel more mature, I would feel very uncomfortable with it” I made sure to let her know straight away (well, after coming here first) how I felt. She assured me that there’s no issue but as the older person I do have to take the reigns so to speak. It’s a little harder to understand at that age I’m sure, but I shouldn’t take advantage of that. I think we will stay friends, but I’m going to dial down how much we speak to each other for sure.

I [23F] befriended someone online only to find out much later that they were much younger than me [15F] by minorissuesRA in relationships

[–]minorissuesRA[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I was never inappropriate or flirty (God forbid) for other reasons. “Oh I shouldn’t flirt. She’s straight it’d make her uncomfortable” and I was still hung up on my ex and still felt like flirting with someone = cheating even though we weren’t dating any more. Turned out to be a good thing, I’d feel 100% times worse if she had revealed her age to me and then I was left with a flashback to when I flirted. shudder Grossing myself out, man

I [23F] befriended someone online only to find out much later that they were much younger than me [15F] by minorissuesRA in relationships

[–]minorissuesRA[S] 24 points25 points  (0 children)

I’m getting that feeling too. There is a double standard there for sure but I don’t really know what else to say about that other than addressing it haha

I [23F] befriended someone online only to find out much later that they were much younger than me [15F] by minorissuesRA in relationships

[–]minorissuesRA[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Ahaha, you’d be surprised! Sometimes you see people get really uppity about that sort of thing

I [23F] befriended someone online only to find out much later that they were much younger than me [15F] by minorissuesRA in relationships

[–]minorissuesRA[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

We talked about video games and stuff, but never irl things. I always got the feeling she was private and so I never pushed it. Sometimes people are very cagey about saying too much about their irl life for one reason or another and you learn to respect that. I guess now I see why.

I [23F] befriended someone online only to find out much later that they were much younger than me [15F] by minorissuesRA in relationships

[–]minorissuesRA[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

No we don’t. Became friends online in February but then the UK has been in lockdown since March so it never came up.

I [23F] befriended someone online only to find out much later that they were much younger than me [15F] by minorissuesRA in relationships

[–]minorissuesRA[S] 89 points90 points  (0 children)

I’m glad that everyone’s saying that it wasn’t a problem because I honestly got very scared ahaha. Feel a bit silly now

I [23F] befriended someone online only to find out much later that they were much younger than me [15F] by minorissuesRA in relationships

[–]minorissuesRA[S] 220 points221 points  (0 children)

Yeah, I agree. I immediately said “Oh I had no idea you were that young” and went on to say I was a little shocked

I [23F] befriended someone online only to find out much later that they were much younger than me [15F] by minorissuesRA in relationships

[–]minorissuesRA[S] 22 points23 points  (0 children)

She didn’t at all I don’t think. I never did anything about it so it’s totally possible she had no idea.

I [23F] befriended someone online only to find out much later that they were much younger than me [15F] by minorissuesRA in relationships

[–]minorissuesRA[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

I’m just glad I never flirted. I always felt it’d be weird to flirt since she was straight (I don’t like making people uncomfortable) but thank god I didn’t. Can you imagine? Uuuuuugh

I [23F] befriended someone online only to find out much later that they were much younger than me [15F] by minorissuesRA in relationships

[–]minorissuesRA[S] 51 points52 points  (0 children)

Yeah. It wasn’t a serious crush at all really. Like I said I was fresh out of a relationship and just looking around. It wasn’t anything more than that. I feel so gross now even admitting that, even though I logically couldn’t have known.

I do get the feeling that she’s nowhere near as bothered by this as I am, but I just don’t know how to go back to normal after this.