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Posted by Aston Avery

It takes 5 meetings, 161 days, 29 private messages and 20 ‘likes’ to become a friend

It will not only take people an average of 5 meetings and 161 days for someone to consider them an official friend, but also 29 private messages and 20 ‘likes’ of their social media posts, according to new research out today.

The study by Konnect shows how rules of engagement for fledgling friendships are changing, as the average Briton now has 5 friends they’ve never met face-to-face.

In fact, a tenth (9 per cent) of people told researchers they make all of their new friends online, with a quarter (26 per cent) of millennials (25 – 34) saying they only ever make friends thanks to the internet.

Older generations aren’t alien to this either, with the average 45 – 54-year-old friendly with 5 people they’ve never met and those aged 65 and over having two such relationships.

Aston spoke to journalist and author Kate Leaver.

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