The porch lights are on.

Hi. I'm Robyn.

When the streetlights came on, you were supposed to be home. You followed the porch lights back to your own front door. If you were lucky, you got permission to stay out a bit longer, and everybody ended up at the cul-de-sac.

That's what the early internet felt like to me. We'd rush home after school to check in with our overseas friends, people we'd never met and couldn't really have told you who they were. Then it was out for the night. A buddy list full of strangers who somehow turned into real friends. Away messages that were suspiciously specific.

I miss the cul-de-sac because I believe having friends should be a right in our world. Somewhere along the way, with social media, we lost the plot. It turned into likes, followers and ads, so I'm building a cul-de-sac again.

Life is hard. Come hang out.

- Robyn

Your number is your address

Can you still recite a phone number from 1999? I can. Mine, and a few others I really shouldn't still remember. Some numbers never leave you.

Every member gets their own number, like a street number. Give it to a friend and they can find your door, the way ICQ numbers used to work.

A peek at the buddy list

This is the heart of it. You open Hello Lane and see who's around, what they're listening to and what they're not quite saying.

A sample screen with made-up names. The real thing is still being built, and it will look different.

What we're building

• A buddy list with your own numberFind friends by username or number and see who's around.
• Chat rooms and private messagesDrop into a room, or knock on a friend's door.
• Statuses and what you're listening toCryptic away messages are allowed. Encouraged, even.
• Old-school message boardsReal conversations, and you can post anonymously when you need to.
• Voice rooms, in timeSomewhere to talk while you're making dinner.
• A phone appSo you can see whose lights are on without opening a browser.

We're at the very beginning. This is what we're working toward, and the order and timing might change. I'll tell you honestly where things stand.

What you won't find here

• Content you have to make
• Likes or loves
• Follower counts
• An algorithm deciding who you see
• Dating focus
• Pressure to be interesting

House rules (draft)

A friendly lane stays friendly because of a few ground rules. These are the ones I plan to start with, and I'll share the final version before anyone joins.

1. Adults only. You have to be 18 or older.
2. Be kind. Disagree all you like, but no bullying, harassment or hate.
3. No dating, hookups or selling. This is a place for friends, not for pitching or prowling.
4. Respect privacy. Don't share anyone else's personal details, and don't screenshot private chats to share them.
5. You can block and report. There will be real people keeping an eye on things, so nobody is left to deal with trouble alone.

Questions people ask

Who's behind Hello Lane?

I'm Robyn, building this from Ontario, Canada. It's a small project at the very beginning, and I'll tell you honestly how it's going.

Is it free?

Joining the waitlist is free. If I ever add paid extras, I'll say so up front, and the basics of making friends and having conversations are meant to stay free.

When does it open?

I don't have a date yet. People on the waitlist hear first, and I'll only write when I have something real to tell you.

Can I stay anonymous?

Yes. You choose a username, and you don't need a photo or your real name. You'll also be able to post anonymously on the message boards. To be upfront, moderators will still be able to see who wrote what, so they can deal with abuse.

Is it a dating site?

No. It's for friendship.

Will there be an app?

That's the plan, so you can see who's online without opening a browser. The first version may be a website you add to your phone's home screen.

What happens to my email?

It's only used for Hello Lane updates. You can unsubscribe at any time, and I won't share it.