Friendship and Young People

Meet People Through Pets

Pets are great conversation starters.

• If you have a dog, go for walks or visit a local dog park.

• If you love cats, you can chat to people at pet shops or animal shelters.

• Even if you do not have a pet, people often enjoy talking about theirs.

 Meet People Through Reading

If you enjoy reading, a book club is a good way to meet others. You can:

• discover new books

• share opinions

• talk with people who enjoy reading too

Visit a place of worship

Places like churches, mosques, synagogues and gurdwaras often have strong community groups. You do not need to be deeply religious to join community events. These spaces can be welcoming and supportive.

Attend community or political events

If you care about community causes or enjoy local events, you can meet people with similar views. Just remember to keep discussions calm and respectful.

Get to know your neighbours

Your neighbours may become good friends. A friendly hello or small chat can lead to connection over time.

Volunteer

Volunteering lets you:

• help your community

• build skills

• meet people who care about similar things

This can lead to natural conversations and friendships.

Chat while waiting in line

If you are waiting in a queue and the person next to you is free, a small conversation can help you connect. This works well at events where you already share an interest.

Go to a concert

Local music events, even small ones, can be fun places to meet new people who enjoy the same artists or styles.

Take the fitness route

There are many ways to meet people if you enjoy being active:

• Go to the gym — many people there enjoy chatting about routines and progress.

• Try hiking — walkers often share tips about local routes.

• Join a running group — runners may have similar goals.

• Cycle with others — many towns have cycling groups.

Sports

Sports can bring people together. You can:

• visit a sports bar

• go to a match

• join casual games at local courts

Sports offer a shared interest, which makes talking easier.

Meeting People in Social Spaces

If you are old enough, a pub or bar can be a relaxed place to chat. Many people there enjoy talking and meeting others.

Gaming

If you enjoy video games or board games, you can:

• join local gaming events

• visit game shops

• take part in tournaments

• play tabletop games at comic book shops

Many people bond through shared games, both online and in person.

The coffee shop

Coffee shops are good places to relax and meet people. You can talk to others who are also enjoying a quiet moment or working on something creative.

Bring people to you

You can create your own opportunities by organising a meet‑up based on your interests.
For example:

• host a hobby group at a community centre

• organise a board game session in a comic shop

• run a meet‑up using a public space

Most people prefer meeting somewhere neutral rather than in a private home.

Online

It can be easier to meet people online, although it may take time to find the right match.
You can:

• join local groups on social media

• connect through shared hobbies

• use trusted apps or sites for meeting new people

• join online groups based on your town or interests

• use Meetup to find local events with people who like the same things

Shared interests make it easier to start conversations.

After you make a new connection, it is important to stay in touch. Friendships are like plants they grow when you look after them.

Reach out to your friends regularly. Send a message or call to see how they are doing. Ask about their life. Show interest in what matters to them. A good friendship is not one‑sided. Both people care about each other.

Friendships can make life feel richer. Good friends help you learn about yourself. They challenge you in positive ways. They help you stay strong when life is hard and celebrate with you when things go well.

Friendships can also support your health and wellbeing. Some research shows that strong friendships can be as important for your wellbeing as eating well and staying active.

Communicating in a romantic relationship

Talking openly is an important part of any relationship. Good communication helps both people understand each other’s needs, feelings and boundaries.

Leaving an unhealthy relationship

It is OK to leave a relationship that does not feel right or is affecting your wellbeing. You have the right to feel safe and respected.

If you need practical or financial advice about a break‑up, organisations like the Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) can help.

If you are experiencing abuse in a relationship, support is available. Speak to a trusted adult or a support service as soon as you can.

Many young people meet friends online through social media and games.

There are many reasons why online friendships happen. Young people may:

• feel lonely in everyday life

• live far from others their age

• live with or support someone who is vulnerable to illness

• find it easier to express themselves online

Online friendships are not always linked to negative experiences. Many young people make online friends as a positive extra, alongside school and hobby friends. Today, meeting people online is as normal as meeting people at school.

How do young people meet online friends?

Young people often meet online friends through:

Friend‑finding apps

Apps such as Wink, Hoop or Yubo let users connect with others. You can show interest in chatting or move on to the next person. The goal is to find people to talk to.

Online gaming

Multiplayer games, such as Rocket League or FIFA, give young people the chance to meet players with similar interests.
They may also meet others on related platforms such as:

• Discord (chat and groups)

• Twitch (watching streamers)

As virtual reality grows, more online friendships may form in those spaces too.

Online friendships can be positive, but there are risks to be aware of.

Fake profiles and catfishing

Some people create fake profiles. They might do this to:

• hide who they are

• try to gain money

• trick or target someone

• copy others

• get attention or followers

Bots are also common online. Bots usually promote brands or boost follower numbers. They do not normally try to build personal friendships but may still appear in apps or platforms.

Grooming

Sometimes, people online create a false identity to build trust with a young person. They may use fake photos or pretend to be the same age.

Once trust is built, they might try to get personal information such as:

• location

• school name

• private details that could put someone at risk

Young people may believe they are talking to a real friend or romantic partner. This can put them in unsafe situations.
If a young person feels worried or unsure, they should speak to a trusted adult straight away.

Cyberbullying and trolling

Arguments between friends can happen, but online conflict can feel much worse. Online disagreements can grow quickly, especially when a whole group becomes involved and one person is singled out.

Online bullying can happen at any time, day or night. Bullies may feel less worried about adults seeing their behaviour. When a group joins in, they may feel “safe in numbers” and less responsible.

This can lead to trolling, a form of online bullying. Trolling includes sending upsetting or rude messages and pretending it is “just a joke”.

Screen time and isolation

If a young person feels lonely, they may spend more time online to feel connected. This can be positive, but there are risks.

Possible risks include:

Too much screen time

There is no exact rule for how much screen time is “too much”. Some studies show that very high levels of screen time may affect parts of the brain used for planning, organising and managing behaviour.

Exposure to extremism or radicalisation

Young people who feel isolated or unhappy may be more likely to be targeted by groups with extreme or harmful ideas. The need to belong can make someone more vulnerable online.