Making friends online can be a fun way for kids to connect with others who share their interests, but it's important to do so safely and with parental guidance.
Connecting with peers online offers opportunities to build friendships based on shared hobbies and activities. While the methods for making friends online are similar for all ages, kids must prioritize safety and get permission from a parent or guardian before engaging online.
Here are some ways kids can make friends online, adapted from general tips for online connection, with a strong emphasis on safety:
Safe Ways for Kids to Connect Online
Building friendships online requires finding safe spaces and interacting thoughtfully. Always ensure a parent or guardian is aware of the online platforms and activities you are using.
1. Join Groups Based on Your Likes
One effective way to find friends online is by joining groups related to your hobbies or interests.
- Find Kid-Friendly Platforms: Look for online communities, forums, or groups specifically designed for kids and monitored by adults.
- Focus on Hobbies: Search for groups about your favorite video game, book series, animal, sport, or art style.
- Examples: Joining a moderated fan forum for a kids' TV show, a safe online club related to coding or drawing, or a multiplayer online game with chat features monitored for safety.
2. Connect with People You Already Know (or are connected to)
Building on existing connections or connecting with people related to your offline life can be safer.
- Connect on Age-Appropriate Social Platforms: If you use a social media platform (with parent permission and safety settings), connect with classmates, kids from your sports team, or friends you met at camp.
- Engage in Online Activities Related to School: Participate in online study groups or forums related to school projects if they are set up and supervised by teachers.
- Examples: Adding a friend from school on a kid-safe messaging app, or joining a teacher-approved online group for a class assignment.
3. Start and Continue Conversations
Once you're in a group or connected with someone, the next step is to interact.
- Send a Message: Reach out to someone you think you'd like to get to know who is also active in the group or shares your interests.
- Ask Questions: Keep conversations going by asking questions about their hobbies, favorite things (related to the group's topic), or experiences. This shows you are interested in them.
- Share About Yourself: Talk about your own interests and experiences related to the group's topic.
- Be Kind and Respectful: Always use polite language and treat others how you want to be treated.
- Examples: "That's a cool drawing! How long have you been drawing?" or "I liked that level in the game too! What was your favorite part?"
4. Explore Connections from Offline Activities
Even if you meet someone offline, connecting online afterward can strengthen the friendship.
- Find Online Groups Related to Offline Hobbies: If you join a soccer team or an art class in your city, look for official or parent-monitored online groups related to that activity where you might connect with teammates or classmates online. (Reference point: "Do things you love in your city" linked to online connection).
Important Safety Tips for Kids Making Online Friends
Online safety is the most important part of making friends online as a kid.
| Action | Safety Guideline |
|---|---|
| Getting Started | Always get permission from a parent or guardian before using any online platform or app. |
| Personal Info | NEVER share personal information like your full name, address, phone number, school name, or passwords. |
| Meeting Up | NEVER agree to meet up in person with someone you only know online, unless it is a planned activity with friends you know well offline, and a parent or guardian has approved and is present. |
| Communication | Tell a parent or guardian if anyone says or does anything that makes you feel uncomfortable or unsafe. |
| Privacy Settings | Use strong privacy settings on any platform, ideally with parental help. |
(Adapted from reference points 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
Making friends online can be a rewarding experience when done responsibly and with the guidance of a trusted adult. Focus on finding safe, moderated spaces where you can connect with others who share your passions.
