New phone app allows users to find nearby strangers to cuddle

Some people would call it creepy; some might say it's the very thing we need more of. A new app has been developed that allows users to find a nearby stranger to cuddle.

The app's designer Charlie Williams said Cuddlr was all about meeting a need for people to touch.

"It's healing and nurturing and it's a great way to connect," he said.

"We've had some sceptical reactions from people who sort of seem to think the only reason you'd want to spend time with a new person is so that you can sleep with them, and I don't think that's true."

The app worked by showing a picture of people near you who wanted a cuddle, giving their first name, and how many successful cuddles they have received.

"If they've had ... dodgy cuddles, then they'll have a negative rating," Mr Williams said.

"So you can use that as a guide to see who you'd like to have a cuddle with [and] send them a request. If they accept it, or if somebody sends you a request and you accept, then you're off.

"You meet up, have a cuddle."

But a leading psychologist warned the app was likely to be a poor substitute for real relationships.

Anne Hollonds was worried about the sort of users the app might attract.

"They're the ones [who are] perhaps emotionally vulnerable because they've lost someone dear to them or they're lonely," she said.

"They're the ones who are most vulnerable for exploitation apart from perhaps physical or verbal danger that they might expose themselves to but also in terms of financial exploitation, which is becoming an increasing problem with any of these apps that actually allow you to meet up with other people."

Ms Hollonds took little comfort from Cuddlr's rating system.

"I think rating systems give a veneer of trustworthiness to something like this," she said.

"I think the reality is that those who are the most vulnerable and most in need of human contact are the ones who are going to not have the ability to make wise judgments with this sort of situation.

"The truth is that we should all be perhaps a little more compassionate and kind towards others around us and perhaps reach out and pat someone on the back or touch them on the arm in a caring way and maybe we wouldn't need this kind of technology."

But Mr Williams said the app was meeting a significant need.

"Platonic cuddling is a thing that we don't really have a place for in society," he said.

"We have romantic cuddling where you cuddle and that sort of means I'd like to be in a relationship with you, or I am in a relationship with you.

"And then we have family cuddling ... a parent might cuddle a child but touch is this healing, wonderful thing and even if you're getting some good touch from a relationship, it can be good to have some more."

He said app users should take steps to keep themselves safe, including meeting strangers in public places.