DevYon4s/MeetSafe

A safe, identity verified platform that helps teenagers and adults in Ethiopia meet in public spaces based on shared interests, using Fayda to ensure real, trustworthy connections. The tool combats loneliness and social isolation by enabling meaningful, face to face interactions. # MeetSafe ## Project Title MeetSafe ## Contributors - Yonas Belew(yonasbelew1@gmail.com) - Mahlet Belay (mahlet7000@gmail.com) - Meaza Mulatu(meazatale5@gmail.com) --- ## 📄 Project Synopsis ### 🧩 Problem Statement With the rise of social media, many teenagers and young adults are experiencing increasing levels of loneliness, disconnection from the real world, and challenges in making new friends. While existing social media services provide a platform for communication, they rarely foster meaningful, in-person relationships. Additionally, concerns about safety, catfishing, and fake identities make it difficult for individuals to meet new people confidently. ### 💡 Planned Solution We are building a web app that enables verified users to create or join in-person hangouts at open public spaces. Users register and verify their identity using their national ID, which securely provides verified details like name, gender, picture, and date of birth. Verified users can: - ✅ Create hangout events based on shared interests - ✅ Join or request to join meetups - ✅ Approve or reject participants - ✅ Meet safely knowing others are verified - ✅ Chat with participants before the meetup - ✅ Rate and review participants after the meetup This ensures participants are real people, within a specific age group, and are easily accountable. --- ## 🎯 Expected Outcomes - ✅ **Addressing a Growing Mental Health Crisis** According to a 2023 U.S. Surgeon General’s Advisory, loneliness has become a public health epidemic. It increases the risk of: - Heart disease by 29% - Stroke by 32% - Depression, anxiety, and suicide, particularly among youth In Ethiopia and globally, the rise of screen-first communication has left many young people isolated, even when surrounded by digital “friends.” This tool directly addresses this by: - Facilitating real-world social interactions - Encouraging meaningful, face-to-face conversation - Helping users form small communities based on shared …