I was very addicted to computers when I was younger. I explored hardware parts and tried many different kinds of software. One of the applications I used was a communication app where everything is saved on the cloud. At that time, I needed an app to store anime files dubbed in my regional language for later viewing, and through my research, I found an app called Telegram.

Telegram is a safe, secure, and fast messaging app with many unique features and is better than WhatsApp in some ways. However, it is not as private, as all normal chats are saved on the server. That's why I always avoided sharing sensitive information. I had many friends online and even met one of them in real life, which was a great experience. However, I was young and made the mistake of sharing some personal info online with people I didn't really know, which later turned out to be costly.

The first time I used Telegram was on my laptop with my father's phone number. I was searching for PokΓ©mon Season 5, but the admin of that channel hadn’t uploaded new episodes. I contacted the admin by finding his username in the channel, and he uploaded the new episodes. He unknowingly shared this username with someone who was gathering PokΓ©mon fans. After our first discussion, I started overthinking and feared he might kidnap me, so I blocked him for no reason. Later, feeling guilty, I unblocked him. I still talk to him and, as far as I know, he is not a fraud.

Later, I made friends in anime communities on Telegram and eventually joined ICA (Indian Creators Alliance), which was started by the same guy. As a member, I helped promote our search for volunteers, and I also conducted many interviews. It was a lot of fun. I learned how to dub anime, create a website, talk to people, promote things, and edit videos and photos. Eventually, the group was discontinued due to low response and was rebranded as AST (AnimeSpot Team), which still exists but is inactive now. You can find me under the name RisingIndianOtaku in many dubs.

My closest friend is a classmate who wasn't a friend until the lockdown in India, when we started talking online. Over time, I got to know him better. In digital spaces, the people we talk to are often unknown to us, and we learn about them gradually. It's important to trust your gut feelings—they’re usually right. That’s how I became close friends with him. You can't fully trust someone online until you meet them in real life. Sharing sensitive data can have serious consequences, as happened to me when my photo was leaked by an online friend and misused with AI.

In my digital life, I talked to many students and received valuable lessons and advice from seniors. I met an online friend in real life who was very kind. My experience with meetups has been positive, though another friend had a bad experience with some online friends he met in real life. Whether in real life or online, some things need to remain confidential.

Online friends are not real friends until you meet them in person. They can leave or misuse your information. It's always better to follow privacy guidelines.