Ever since the advent of the internet age and the spread of globalization, interacting with someone living in another country or continent is easier than ever before. It’s amazing that while you are sitting on your laptop in the U.S., you can have a conversation with someone in another region of the country or the other side of the world. In this situation, most would be talking to an individual they know personally, like a family member or friend who lives abroad and vice versa. For the Internet savvy, though, there is such a thing as an online friend. This is pretty self-explanatory; it’s a friend that a person meets online. Online friends can be fulfilling and a great supplement to the demands and drudgery of everyday life. With that said, here are some guidelines to socializing with the people you meet online.
Find people with similar interests.
This is the basis of where an online friendship should start, over a common pursuit, especially since you will most likely not connect with your virtual mate face to face. These points of conversation can range from topics like politics and history to hobbies like baking and cosplay. If you are really invested in something, you are bound to connect with someone that has the same passion and conviction as you have in that certain subject.
Use a platform that you are familiar with and that you can navigate with ease.
You can use anything from sites like Facebook or Tumblr, apps like Instagram, or any of the plethora of online forums and chat rooms available on the web. There are plenty of Facebook groups that are open to the public that you can join. These groups range from discussing books, movies, or TV shows to disciplines like theology, philosophy, and feminist theory. You are likely to find a community that fits you on the social media site.
This is also true of Instagram which has plenty of accounts dedicated to fashion and boy bands, for example. So you can lust over a cute outfit or fan-girl with your fellow Directioners over whatever shenanigans Harry Styles is up to, now. All of that is done with the simple touch of a follow button on your new favorite account.
Tumblr is a website where users can create their own personal blogs and the premise of Tumblr makes it a popular place for those to find online friends, especially amongst those in certain fandoms.
Privacy is a key thing.
It does not matter what platform you decide to use, but you have to be cognizant of what information you make public. Do not be too open. You should especially be careful of not posting anything embarrassing, or worse, evidence of illegal behavior. Many young people tend to forget with the advancement of the internet age, employers have kept up as well. They will see that drunken picture of you or that inappropriate status. The things you post are not as safeguarded as you think. Use the internet as if you are always making a first impression, so make sure that impression is a positive one that truly reflects who you are.
Limit your time online.
Whether you are enrolled in school, work, or both, there is no excuse for you to be online 24/7. If you are not getting enough sleep, skipping meals, getting distracted from your daily routine, etc. then that is an indicator that you might be spending too much of your time on an online realm. Take care of yourself and make sure that things you need to get done are your primary focus.
Do not get too attached.
Something important to remember is that your online friends are not people you know in real life (unless they actually are). When joining one of the aforementioned platforms, keep in mind the fact that unless you participate with people you spend time with in reality, you are most likely only communicating with those specific individuals online. It is really easy to become emotionally attached to a person who you might share many interests with. It’s fine to have an outlet to be yourself in if it’s not available in real life, but you should not rely on online relationships to satisfy you. It can turn into an unhealthy obsession and negatively affect your mental and emotional health.
Make sure to separate reality from your newfound online reality.
This is an extension of my former point. There is a difference between your real life and what you do online. Do not blur the lines of those boundaries. If you get warped into your online word by spending most of your time online investing in relationships that will not form past your computer screen or phone, you will start living a fantasy. It’s essential that your online hobbies do not take over your real life. Remember how great your life actually is, or can be. Also, if you pursue online habits because you feel lonely or depressed, it’s time to reevaluate what you are doing. Seek help from a relative, friend, teacher, or counselor if that is the case. This may be a sign of a deeper issue.
Be careful about crushing on a virtual buddy.
This is important. You do not want to end up as the next participant on MTV’s “Catfish: The TV Show.” Just keep it platonic. I trust you. There are plenty of people who are in closer proximity to you in real life you can get serious with. You will be fine and you will not die alone, I promise.
Stranger, danger!
There are strange people on the Internet. Make sure to screen out potential buddies and stay away from exhibiting questionable behavior. Do not befriend those who treat you badly, or people you think you cannot trust!
Hopefully, you took away the main idea from the tips and advice I’ve offered here. If so, now you can find your niche and platform to get started. Enjoy!
