The Internet is host to a plethora of online communities about anything and everything. Making friends in these spaces can feel daunting, but fear not! Making friends can be easy if you follow the same etiquette you’d enact in person, emphasizing authenticity and kindness.
Keep reading to learn how to make friends online!
How to Make Friends Online: Basic Etiquette
The first step towards making friends online is to be friendly and polite to those you interact with. Just as you would make friends in person, being friendly to those around you will invite others to interact with you, showing that you are personable and kind. Jasmine Lee, a host for an online coworking space, emphasizes that authenticity is key to making new friends. Though the Internet is notorious for its flame wars (intense or polarizing internet discourse), trolls (someone who posts deliberately to upset others), and otherwise unkind behavior, being someone who spreads positivity and kindness to strangers online can make a community feel safe for anyone to join.
Being approachable and friendly can also be communicated through different ways, such as through your sense of humor. Having a good sense of humor and joking around, even if someone is trying to jab at you, shows you know how to handle yourself online. This can display maturity and tact by showing that you know how to take a joke.
Showing respect to others can also be a helping factor in forging friendships online. The Internet is home to people of various backgrounds, so showing sensitivity to others’ identities can signify your willingness to connect with people who are different from you. Not only will this openness increase your likelihood of making friends, but it also can help you learn about the multitude of unique individuals out on the Internet!
Making Friends Online: Finding Community
With online etiquette covered, it’s time to consider where to go to make new friends. As The Harvard Business Review suggests, it’s important to choose the platforms and communities you care about. The digital world is rife with communities to explore, whether through social media, gaming, or even Discord servers to chat in.
Finding common ground with strangers is a helpful step towards making a new friend. . First, consider what your most significant interests are. For example, if you’re an artist, finding and following other artists on any platform can help you connect over a shared love for making art. From there, you can get to know each other better and build a great friendship!
Similarly, with online communities being an enticing part of the Internet, many of these communities host events encouraging finding new friends, joining new groups, and bonding activities. Consider attending one of these events and getting to know other people; follow proper online etiquette, and you’ll be making friends in no time!
Building Relationships
Once you’ve made a few friends, it’s time to spend some time with them and get to know each other better. Lasting friendships are built over time, and thankfully, the affordances of the Internet can make building a friendship effortless.
One way to build rapport with a new friend is to follow them on social media. This way, you can keep up with their daily updates or even closely examine their humor, personality, or interests. Similarly, following a friend on social media can also give you more opportunities to interact with them, whether replying to or liking one of their posts.
Another way to bond with online friends is to do an online activity with them, whether gaming or watching videos together. Gaming allows for teamwork and cooperation between two people, building trust and gauging compatibility.
Go Get ‘Em!
Making friends online can be a great opportunity to put yourself out there and create lasting friendships. It’s important to be kind, respectful, and have a good sense of humor to help build a community with people sharing similar values. Online interactions through social media or gaming can be a great way to build relationships and maintain friendships.
Looking for a platform to connect with others? Consider checking out The Rink by Ferry Godmother Productions! This VR world features a roller skating rink where you can enjoy yourself with friends and hang out together.