Making online friends has never been easier, with various platforms and ways to connect with people around the world. If you're an introvert or super busy, an online friend might be the more convenient option in many cases. Online friends require less effort to maintain and there's no need to spend money or leave your house to communicate with them. Post-COVID, online friends and connecting with IRL friends virtually is a very popular trend.
What Are Online Friends?
Pretty self-explanatory! Online friends are connections you make through apps, websites, social media, or blogs. Usually the friendship starts online and moves to texting, video chats, and even meeting up IRL. Online friends can introduce you to new cultures, places, and ideas that you would have a hard time finding locally. Of course, stranger danger is real! You never know who you're talking to - so tread with caution!
Should You Make An Online Friend?
Sure, but don’t get too comfortable. People can be whoever they want behind a screen—trust is earned, not handed out. You could find a true connection, or you might end up with someone ghosting you faster than you can hit “send.” It’s a wild ride of highs and lows, but hey, if you're not afraid of digital chaos, why not give it a shot? Just remember, not everyone online is who they claim to be.
Online Friend Benefits?
Making a friend online comes quick and easy, especially if you meet in likeminded communities. There's something refreshing about meeting someone new who knows nothing about you. It's a fresh canvas, you can be whoever you want (andddd that's why catfishing is so common!). A lot of us like being friends with someone who doesn't know our past or details of our life. An online friend usually is a big supporter, having no one else's opinion on you to take in. These friendships can feel more genuine and uplifting - though this also can make them fake and sketchy.
The Downside & What To Watch Out For With This Friend Type:
Online friends can be a blast—until they’re not. The problem with digital connections is that they’re often built on vibes, not reality. You can chat for hours, share memes, and even make deep, meaningful conversations, but when it comes to real-life expectations, things can fall apart. Misunderstandings are easy to come by when tone and context are lost in texts, and it’s too easy for drama to spark when you’re hiding behind a screen. Add in the occasional ghosting or people vanishing when you need them, and suddenly, your online "friendship" starts to feel like a one-sided show. The downside? Without the physical presence to back things up, it’s all too easy for those bonds to fizzle out. You also have to watch out for scams, cat-fishing, or just straight up weird people!
How To Make Online Friends:
Online communities, websites, and apps make it easy to meet new people and strike up a conversation. Here are some platforms to make friends online over shared lifestyles/interests:
-Facebook Groups
-Bumble BFF
-Searching relevant hashtags on TikTok, Instagram, X, etc
-Peanut (An app for moms!)
-Reddit Communities
-Telegram
-Letterboxd (Find friends with similar movie interests!)
-Our Social Club's Group Chat!
Rating Online Friends
Connection Ease:
█████ 5/10 - Connecting is easy... it's ever taking your friendship offline that's hard
Shared Interests:
████████ 8/10 - Likely to have many shared interests
Continue The Online Friend Conversation:
Check out Season 1, Episode 7 "Online Friends" on our podcast! Available on Spotify & major streaming platforms! You can also view this episode through our website or on Youtube.
Have an online friend story to share?! We would love to hear it! Leave us a comment or message us at hardtomakefriends@gmail.com
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