Studying remotely and self-isolating makes us prone to neglecting our friendships and giving up on social interactions. However, to stay healthy whilst following the precautionary measures, we need to take care of our relationships. Staying in touch with close friends and building bonds with new ones are vital activities in our lives, so we should not give up on them, even during a pandemic. Luckily, technology has us covered. Below, I present to you three fantastic apps that allow you to engage and have fun with your friends online.
1. Among Us
The internet’s latest hit! Among Us is a multiplayer deduction game set on a spaceship. You are assigned one of two roles, you are either a Crewmate or an Impostor. Crewmates are team-players. Their goal is to complete all the tasks and discover who the Impostor is. The Impostor, on the other hand, must sabotage and kill their Crewmates.
It is fascinating how the app launched back in 2018 but did not gain much popularity till 2020. Now the world is totally crazy about it, creating memes, tweeting tweets and recording funny videos. Isolation gave prominence to this type of social interaction, where people meet in a virtual room to play a game. In Among Us, no gaming skills are required but rather the ability to discuss, cooperate and lie – just like in any social interaction. That is why the game is perfect to try with friends – to get to know each other, have a laugh and scrutinise their unusual behaviour. To play you need to download the free app, join or create a room and give the code to your friends.
2. Teleparty
An absolute necessity for all movie freaks. Teleparty works as an extension to your browser which allows you to watch a film with your friend(s) on different devices. The app features various platforms: Netflix, HBO, Disney Plus and Hulu. You only need to download the extension, play the new episode of your favourite series and invite all your friends to the virtual party. To give you the full social experience, Teleparty also features a chat where you can comment in real-time about the show. This fantastic app is an ideal substitute for a movie night experience with your best friends.
3. Padlet
This platform is a creative tool which encourages people to share and create their own unique content. It’s perfect for exchanging thoughts and connecting with your university friends worldwide. Padlet features maps you might use to show the diversity in your course, streams of thoughts to share funny videos and timelines where you can add photos and create memories with your peers. As opposed to the other apps I have described, this one is asynchronous, therefore people from different time zones can participate easily. If you are still unsure about how to use this tool, try it yourself.
To use Padlet, create a free account on Padlet website.
I believe that with the help of all these unique platforms, staying at home can be fun. You and your friends can finally engage in new activities which you have never tried before. The greatest benefit of these platforms is not having to leave your house. You can stay safe, save time and money on travelling whilst making unforgettable memories with your friends. Do not treat social interactions on the internet as something inferior. They are equally important as face-to-face ones. Hence, use the internet to explore the endless possibilities, try the above apps and catch up with your besties (unless they kinda sus).