How do I actually make friends online?

02/05/25 9:43am

Help – how do I make real, actual friends online? I'm more on the introverted side and want to be more natural talking to cool people online that I like but I don't want to be creepy?

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For a complete guide to this topic, read the wikiHow article Where Can You Find Friends Online? (& How to Make Those Friendships Last) .

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Rebecca Tenzer, MAT, MA, LCSW, CCTP, CGCS, CCATP, CCFP
Clinical Therapist & Adjunct Professor

02/14/25 12:25am

There are a ton of people online, just like you, wanting to find a community of people that they can befriend without the social pressures of connecting in person. Some of my favorite communities, all of which I have vetted and share with my own patients, are below! For anyone looking to make legitimate connections online, find new hobbies or at some point meet in person, these are great options. Check out friendship apps (love Bumble BFF), get involved in virtual communities (Facebook groups), or join virtual groups (virtual book clubs, etc.) Here are some of my favorite go-to platforms to meet new people. It’s not creepy, I promise! Online socializing is truly part of the tech-focused world we live in. Most people are online looking for the same thing and wholeheartedly trying to make connections online. Make sure you double-check that platforms are safe if you decide to look at something outside of my recommendations.

1. Interest-Based Communities:
*Reddit ( r/MakeNewFriendsHere, r/NeedAFriend)
*Discord Servers (find ones related to hobbies, gaming, or mental health support)
*Facebook Groups (local groups or niche interests)
* Meetup.com
* Eventbrite (virtual and in-person events)
*Video Gaming Platforms where you can communicate with others.
*Virtual Yoga at Astute Wellness Services

2. Use Friendship Apps
*Bumble BFF (designed specifically for making friends and my patients love it!)
*Friender (matches people based on shared interests)

3. Engage in Online Classes or Virtual Events
* Skillshare, MasterClass (I personally use this one), Coursera to find study buddies
*Virtual Book Clubs (join discussions on Goodreads or local libraries)

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Anonymous WikiCheetah

02/19/25 12:20am

Do you have advice on easy ways to start the conversation if I find someone in an interest group I'd like to befriend?

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Rebecca Tenzer, MAT, MA, LCSW, CCTP, CGCS, CCATP, CCFP
Clinical Therapist & Adjunct Professor

02/20/25 12:33am

Absolutely! Some things you can say to start the conversation off with ease- ask them how they became interested in the group, how long they’ve been doing the hobby and what kind of things they enjoy most. For example, if you’ve joined a group about art, you can ask them when they got started becoming an artist? What inspires them with their artwork? What future projects do they have in mind? Remember, there’s no right or wrong way to start a conversation with somebody. Ask them questions that you’re truly interested about and make it authentic. You’ve got this!

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Reader Comments

WikiKoalaChaser891

02/06/25 7:59am

There are many online communities you can join to meet people and make new friends online! Find an online group that aligns with your hobbies and interests and you should have no trouble striking up a conversation with others who are passionate about the same things as you. Once you find an online community that you like and feel comfortable in, just chime in regularly and you'll develop relationships with people over time. Reach out to people you think you can be friends with over DM to get closer to them. Good luck!

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WikiLynxBearer275

02/06/25 10:03pm

I think Discord and Reddit are great platforms to make friends online. Find a Discord server or subreddit for your hobbies and there will be like-minded people you can befriend. If you're a little nervous about talking to people, you can lurk until you feel like you're comfortable, and then reach out. If you're worried about being creepy, stay away from anything sexual and don't engage with people who don't seem interested.

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WikiGladeReader418

02/07/25 6:19pm

Make sure to be careful when trying to make friends online! Yes there are lots of cool people on there, but there are also dangerous people who may want to take advantage of you. It's best not to send strangers on the internet your personal info. You can also keep a parent updated on your online friend-making adventures and they can look out for you and keep you safe.

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WikiMongooseKeeper342

02/07/25 12:43pm

If you like video games you can make friends by playing multiplayer games online. If you have a fun time playing with someone, add them on that video game and keep playing games with them. A lot of people are happy to connect over Discord after they've spent some time playing with you in a video game. From there, you can try playing with them more regularly and building a friendship.

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