Welcome to FriendShaping

This very early version of the site is, as you probably already noticed, a work in progress. Please excuse me as the site is not yet functional, but I will keep you informed about where I am and where I'm going. My dream is to create a community-driven site that serves its members.

Why am I starting this?

My main goal is to connect people. It's a fact that people are becoming lonelier and more secluded. I know there are other sites offering similar services, but my focus is to create a safe and trusted environment. I want to build a place where people can meet and share their experiences and activities—a place where friendships and activities are based not only on algorithms, but also on real human connections.

If the leap seems too big, I want to introduce a buddy/mentor system to help people get started. This way, I hope to lower the barrier to entry and make it easier for people to find friends and activities.

So please hang in there while I am working on this. I will keep you informed about the progress on the release page.

After the initial release, I will focus on the following features:

Improved user profiles
Activity creation and management
Messaging system
Search and filter options
Community features (forums, groups, events)
Consensus system

Once the consensus part is implemented, I will focus on the monetization of the site, as well as requests from the community. The community will be able to vote on the features they want the most.

Privacy and Transparency

All data we store is only to serve the functionality of the site—nothing more, nothing less. Your data will not leave our servers for other parties! We only use authentication cookies, which are needed to know who you are and to give you access to your data. I'm not sure what an audit costs, but since transparency is key, this could/should be a consensus item, in my opinion. Maybe members can audit the code, or any idea is welcome.

The main focus is your privacy and the transparency of the site. There are no hidden agendas.

Media References

Loneliness in the Netherlands remains a pressing social issue in 2025. According to the Dutch Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS), approximately 10% of people aged 15 and older report feeling severely lonely, while nearly half of all adults experience some form of loneliness. The problem is especially prevalent among older adults, single households, and young people living in urban areas. Public health organizations such as RIVM and ZonMw emphasize the growing need for community-based and digital solutions to foster social connection. Initiatives like FriendShaping align closely with national efforts to combat isolation and promote inclusive, local engagement.