To join a dating site just to chat?

[VeryBerryCute]

I’m a single mum and, because of my circumstances, I’m pretty much stuck at home in the evenings. I get quite bored and lonely, and I’ve been thinking about joining a dating site simply to have people to chat to in the evenings.
I wouldn’t be pretending I was looking for a relationship or planning to meet up. I’d be upfront from the beginning that I’m only interested in chatting and getting to know people, with no intention of taking it offline.
I know dating apps are obviously designed for people who are looking to date, so I’m wondering whether it would be unfair or misleading to use one purely for conversation, even if I’m completely honest about my intentions.
Would you think this was unreasonable, or is there nothing wrong with it as long as I’m upfront?

Someone else posted this exact same question - https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/relationships/5537275-feeling-invisible-can-i-join-dating-apps-but-not-date?utm_campaign=thread&utm_medium=app_share

It's not something I'd do - waste mine and their time. I'd rather post on mumsnet or Reddit or take up a hobby.

The men up for it will just want sexting and ask for photos for their wank bank. If you're ok with that go for it.

I think most people on dating sites are going to be looking for dates, not someone just to chat to.

What about joining an online community like Gingerbread for single parents?
https://www.gingerbread.org.uk/your-community/

Hi thanks I don’t mean friendships but thanks for the suggestions. I don’t mind someone I can chat to but just not meet. I don’t really like posting too much on mumsnet either as I find people tend to be looking for an argument on here a lot.

Probably wouldn’t join a dating site just to chat. Do you have any hobbies or interests and could join a group to do with that and chat

From what my friends on the apps tell me, you wouldn't get what you need from the apps. The people on there aren't exactly the talkative types, or the most patient. They are on the apps for a reason - usually sex - so if there's no glimmer of hope to get that, they won't engage with you. It's a waste of their time, in their mind. They barely have the patience for people that want the same thing as them - I have been told so many times that people get bored of texting after 5 words exchanged (pretty much) and start asking to meet, for a phone number, social media handle, etc.

Yes I do but I would like someone to chat to in the evenings

Oh that’s interesting i hear loads of women complaining men only want to chat and never meet

Sorry but if you don't want a relationship or a friendship then what exactly are you looking for? Just random chat? I use Reddit or Mumsnet for that tbh, you can usually avoid the controversial/argumentative sections or just refuse to engage in them. My experience from dating sites hasn't been great, had abuse hurled at me just for saying I'm not interested.

People aren’t going to want to just chat, and when you are upfront about it they’ll just think you are good for sexting.

I don’t like the Reddit layout I just can’t use that site 😂 and mumsnet people are very argumentative on here.

They will be the ones in relationships.

Maybe you can try it out and see if it works. If it does, great! If not, you can easily delete your account.

No idea what thats all about but at least I wouldn’t get these types of messages 😂

@VeryBerryCute I wouldn't be so confident..from experience you'll be sent A LOT of photos of 🍆

Then they get blocked, cant block people on here sadly

Also I did online dating in the past before children for a while and I was never once sent a dick pic I wonder how common that really is.

@VeryBerryCute granted I haven't used them since during lockdown but I had several a day! I was using Tinder and POF though, which I think are the worst. I think Hinge is meant to be better.

Hmm yeah im signing up 😂

Thats strange I never had any, not sure if I should feel left out or not 🤭

Men from online cant be worse than this, this isn’t exactly nice to read and no different from weird graphic comments on mumsnet. And at least you can block them.

It’s funny that mumsnet was suggested as a “normal” platform to speak on reading these comments?? 😂 very ironic