It is a misconception to see the forum as a social media platform. The forum is not a social media platform, it is not a place to make friends. It is possible to make friends here, but the forum is not the place for it as you do that at your own risk. Most members will not reply to personal messages that do not concern the forum no matter what because their interest here is strictly learning via interaction and not for socialising.  As newbies you are also advised to be careful of the kind of messages from other forum members that you receive in you personally, do not easily trust because you want to make a new friend.