Is getting to know young people via chat, for the mere purpose of acquaintance without bad talk, considered forbidden?

You have done well in treading the path of righteousness, memorizing the Quran, and abandoning singing. We advise you to make abundant supplications. Chatting with young men is evil and a gateway to falling into what Allah has forbidden. Sharia came to block the means (to evil), so do not defile yourself and extinguish the light of faith. Justifying conversations with young men is a deception of Satan. You can spend time with righteous female friends. As for parents differentiating in treatment between their children, this is a bad matter. Supplicate for their guidance while still being dutiful to them, for the right of a parent to dutifulness remains, even if they commit a wrong.