It exists: Whatsapp

Also Discord and Reddit are not too bad for more strangers with common topic based chat that isn't too algorithmic.

> It exists: Whatsapp

Whatsapp groups are as terrible as the alternatives. Every group I've been a part of that has more than N people (all who know each other) has devolved into endless memes, political talk etc, and very little connecting.

Give me Whatsapp where I have a setting to simply not show me any forwarded message, and I'll be happy.

It's still possible to host a phpbb as well. Easier than it was in 2005, but harder than using a big platform.

I miss all the old phpbb forums. I occasionally toy with the idea of hosting one.