Before there was such a thing as catfish and the internet was rather new, my azz would hit the library just to use their computer just to chat to strangers. Just search chat and you get a bunch of hits like pH chatroom. I remembered effing around and uses a handle name called Bambi. I get guys trying to hit on me. I said I'm only 13, a lie cuz I was 18 at the time and Bambi was a blond bimbo. They would get all rouse up with me pretending to be a hot Playboy model.
I tried it for 5 minutes as a social experiment and it creeped me out. Both ends are sick fawks and it takes a toll on your mental state.