Members of a BuddyPress social network can be connected together by one member adding another as a “friend” and then the other member accepting the friend request.
Each member will have a visible list of their friends on the site. Friends lists are browsable and members can click on each friend to see more information or add them as their own friend. Profiles are NOT restricted as a whole. Alternatively members can select which information is visible to the general public in finer detail in much the same way your blog is open, but you can make some posts private.
The ability to search for members by username, email or full name will also be included in a “friend finder”.
When adding a friend, a note can be added explaining why the friendship is being created. This is useful as friends on BuddyPress networks may not be friends in real life quite as much as they are on Facebook. BuddyPress could be used to meet people in your neighborhood, or those who like certain sports for example, rather than being an extension of your offline life.