There is no right or wrong way to do anything. If you feel comfortable to interact with this relative, why not. But don’t feel obligated. I don’t connect with anyone on social media. I only use it for a few specific reasons. Not to make friends or reconnect with anyone.

But everything we do online is known to the vast land of internet. So I am sure things align no matter how private you want to be.

I once had a profile on Instagram with no picture and zero info in a profile and random screen name and all I did was following specific art. Wasn’t posting. Just looking. I was linked to a profile of a former classmate. After some deliberation how is it even possible for anyone to know we even know each other (live on the opposite side of the world and my profile had ZERO facts and we went to school together 40 years ago) I figured that it’s because I looked at art. She looks at art too. Likely same art. No mystery. But no privacy either