Websites to meet new friends: what to look for

What makes a good friend-finding site

Whichever site you try, these are the things that tend to matter:

• A way to meet people around something you have in common.
• Real safety tools, like reporting and blocking.
• Clear rules, including an age limit.
• A way to stay in touch with people you like.
• Not asking for personal details you don't need to give.

Different types of places

The right one depends on how you like to meet people:

• Forums and communities are great for slow conversations around a topic, and it can take a while to get to know anyone.
• Group chat servers are lively, and it's easy to get lost in the crowd.
• Event sites suit people who want to meet locally in person.
• One-on-one chat sites like Perfriend are for a real conversation with one person, right now.

How it works

It takes about a minute to start your first chat.

• Continue as a guest, or sign up with Google or email.
• Type a few interests, like anime, F1 or cooking.
• Get matched one-on-one with someone who shares one, and see what you have in common.
• Skip anytime. If you click with someone, add them as a friend and keep talking.

Staying safe when meeting people online

Take your time, keep personal details private, and be careful with anyone who asks for money or pushes you to move to another app. If you ever meet someone in person, choose a public place and tell someone you trust.

Questions