Find Email Penpals

Email provides a great way to establish penpal friendships, since you can correspond as often as you like, anywhere in the world, at no cost.

The newsgroup soc.penpals has hundreds of messages from people all over the world if you want to establish an email penpal relationship. Many good friendships have been established on the Internet between distant email penpals.

One of the best places to find email penpals is through mailing lists, since you can join a list that interests you and find others with a similar interest.

However, always keep safety in mind, and be cautious when corresponding with anyone that you don't already know. Just as in the non-virtual world, there are some people who will try to take advantage of you, and there is increased risk on the Internet because of its anonymity. Keep in mind these basic safety rules:

• Choice. Completely break off all communications with someone if you become uncomfortable with the content.

• Confidentiality. Never give anyone your home address, phone number, credit card number, or other identifying information for any reason whatsoever.

• Don't send money. Never send money to anyone for any reason, no matter how seemingly important or great an investment.