Friends Nearby: Be a Friend

Be a friend. Make a friend. Friends Nearby is a space for college students to be real about how they're actually doing — anonymously, with people near you. Anxious about finals? Post it. Social life feeling exhausting lately? Post that too. Found a restaurant you're obsessed with and just need to tell someone? Also that. This is a place for the whole range — the hard days, the awkward ones, and the genuinely great ones. Post what's on your mind. Get real replies from students who get it. When someone replies to your post, a private conversation opens between just the two of you — because sometimes the person who replies is exactly the friend you need, whether you're struggling, stressed about your friend group, or just excited about something small. WHY FRIENDS NEARBY • Anonymous by default — no real name or photo required • Mood tags for everything — anxious, stressed, lonely, happy, excited, on top of the world • Reply to unlock a private DM — built on mutual interest, not random strangers • Crisis resources (988 Lifeline, Crisis Text Line) always one tap away • Block and report on everything, always • Verified UVA students only during our campus launch Whether it's finals stress, social drama, a genuinely great day, or just needing someone who gets it — Friends Nearby helps you find your people, one honest post at a time.