Friends
Project Overview
Friends is a social media platform designed as an alternative to Instagram, focusing on fostering positive, meaningful connections and simplifying digital social interactions.
Core Principles
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Positive Connection Emphasis
- Encourages genuine, supportive interactions
- Minimizes toxic social media behaviors
- Prioritizes quality over quantity of connections
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Seamless Integration with Contacts
- Automatic friend circle creation
- Leverages existing Contacts app infrastructure
- Ensures pre-vetted, intentional connections
Key Features
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Simplified User Experience
- Intuitive, clutter-free interface
- Reduced focus on vanity metrics
- Meaningful content sharing
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Connection Mechanics
- Friends from Contacts automatically included
- Mutual consent-based connection model
- Transparent connection management
Content Sharing Philosophy
- Encourage storytelling
- Promote empathy and understanding
- Minimize performative social behaviors
- Prioritize authentic self-expression
Technical Considerations
- Lightweight, efficient platform
- Strong privacy controls
- Minimal data collection
- Cross-platform compatibility
Differentiators from Existing Platforms
- No algorithmic manipulation
- No infinite scrolling
- Transparent content ranking
- User-controlled experience
Ethical Technology Manifesto
Friends represents a radical reimagining of social media as a tool for genuine human connection, not digital addiction.
Project Lead
Chaitanya Mittal Chtnnh Foundation (https://chtnnhfoundation.org)