Are online friends just as important as offline friends?

[Crazy Misty 653]

Recently, I've been really good friends with someone I met online, actually better than anyone I know IRL, but I've been wondering, do you find online friends just as important as real life friends? I bring this up because my parents keep saying how online friends aren't real, but what about pen pals? Weren't they considered real friends? And if someone I met online is a better friend than I know in real life surely that says something? I'm not saying this as if I have no real life friends, I'm just saying that I prefer my online friends.

[Luriel Maelstrom 253]

I think Online Friends are better than Real Friends, my real friends are jerks! But online friends always understand you! And online friends actually for me are better than my real friends, I hope this answers your question! Edited July 18, 2012 by Luriel Maelstrom

[Swift 43]

I take shit all the time from my parents about how i can't have online friends it really pisses me off I care about all of my friends online or not and if i want to be there for them i will be they are just as important.

[Klopp 2,050]

The friendship is just as important whether you actually know your friend in real life, or they are simply another person sitting in front of a computer on the other side of the world. Friendship can really only be measured by how much you enjoy spending your time with a person, and that most definitely includes chatting or playing games online. I personally enjoy the time I spend online about equal compared to the time I have spent with friends in real life.

 

The problem with most parents nowadays, is that they grew up in a time where there was no internet. They simply cannot comprehend the infinite possibilities that the internet provides, and in many cases, they refuse to learn of such possibilities. From what I have observed, it seems that everything that is new to the world when you are young becomes exciting, and easily fits in as a part of your every day life. However, once you get to a certain age, all new things tend to become "useless," with many adults saying "We didn't need the internet back in my day! We only had Television to keep us entertained!" But if we were to go back in time, that person's parents or grandparent's were probably saying the exact same thing about television.

 

Of course there are exceptions of course, as I know of many older aged people who embrace newer technology. However, the percent of adults who do is much lower in comparison to those who shun things that are new to our generation.

 

Half this post was probably unnecessary, but oh well I said it anyways!

[Starshine 16,330]

If you has an active online social life, any online friends is just as good as friends you met directly

 

But having a whole army of IRL friends who also actively screaming around in the internet is the best

[I_wesley125 393]

Alot of my online friends are just as good as my rl ones, if not better.

[Skye Starlight 223]

Online friends are REAL PEOPLE! They aren't just computers, they exist!

[Arylett Charnoa 4,919]

I don't actually have any friends in real life. I used to have one, but she moved away.

 

Klopp has made many of my points, but the internet is as much a medium for socialization as in real life. It gives extremely shy and socially awkward people like me a chance. A chance to interact with and make friends rather than just rotting away all alone for days on end in loneliness. If it weren't for the internet and the friends it has provided me, I would be infinitely more depressed than I was now. I'll be honest, I think I might... not even be here now if it wasn't for the friends from it.

 

Of course online friends are just as important. Sure, there's things like body language and tone that compose about 90% of communication, but that can be easily resolved through webcam and voice chats. Nowadays, your internet friends can be more than just text on a screen. You can see their faces, their reactions, and you can care about the face you see. If you see that person crying across the camera, divulging their innermost feelings to you and having known you for a while, are you really going to say that is less real than some acquaintance you see every now and then in real life?

 

It may be different to encounter and interact with this person in reality (and might not turn out as well as you had planned due to interactions maybe seeming more awkward), but just because you haven't technically "met" them in real life, doesn't mean you don't know them. My internet friends know me more than anybody in real life, including that friend I had for four years.

 

If it weren't for the internet, I wouldn't even have a boyfriend. I count him as a dear friend as well, and our interactions in real life transferred smoothly from the internet when we met, much more comfortably than people I first met in real life. It was as though we had known each other for years. Are you going to tell me that isn't real either?

 

Basically, yes. Online friends, real life friends; it doesn't matter. A friendship is as important as the people involved regard it. And nobody else can say so.

Edited March 7, 2012 by Arylett Dawnsborough

[Viscra Maelstrom 3,718]

all the friends that i have are on the internet. i am extremely anxious IRL, moreso than you would think i am given my behavior here on the forums, and i've always strayed from social contact with people my age IRL, because i've always felt alienated from them.

 

the internet in general has given me a lot of thing and taught me a lot more about myslef than i would have from socializing IRL: my passion for music, my own sexuality, how wonderful friendship is, and of course, this forum. i've been able to get through a lot of stuff in my life thanks to my online friends. and if the internet could make such a socially awkward, anti-social person like me become the biggest chatterbox only to be rivaled by Pinkie Pie herself,

then i'm sure online friends has just as much value, if not more, as IRL ones.

Edited March 7, 2012 by Princess Diadem Skystrom

[Swoop 2,276]

Friendship is magic, regardless of it's medium.

 

I may take this opportunity to adress that one recurring argument I hear almost perpetually when bringing up the topic of social internet connections.

 

'When conversing over the internet, there's no physical contact between each other. You cannot physically do x or y, therefore your relationship not a true relationship, and shouldn't be considered as authentic or significant.'

 

I've heard that one too many times for comfort.

 

The major, underlying difference between an online interpersonal relationship, and one occurring in the presence of an individual, is the idea of propinquity; the physical (and subsequent psychological) proximity between people. The propinquity effect revolves around the notion that human beings have a tendency to develop and build upon both friendships and romantic relationships with those whom they encounter on a regular basis.

 

Now, I have no doubt that there is an association between tangible connections, and human bonding - with an array of observable, specific reactions to such contact (ranging from general body language, to unconscious movements of facial features), it would be somewhat naive to suggest otherwise. What definitely does classify as an ignorant statement however, is when individuals make the ill-informed assumption that palpable connections are either the primary or sole factor constituting an attachment.

 

Through an internet relationship, you are able to convey and share emotions, abstractions, sentiments, and experiences; all the aspects that, under the correct circumstances, can amount to a healthy relationship. There are very few limitations as to how individuals can interact with one another online - the capacity for a constructive conversation exists with almost no inhibitions. Through sharing and communicating, an online relationship can provide encouragement, psychological support, increased feelings of self worth, and overall wellbeing, just like that of a physical relationship.

 

In a nutshell, online and in-person connections most certainly do posses different aspects and characteristics. However, all things considered, both methods of communication are analogous - When applied appropriately, both have the capacity to flourish into something amazingly beneficial.

[Sunnymilk 40]

As far as I am concerned, irl and online friends are pretty equal. but I am guessing ones view on that is often based on the ratio one selveves irl friends too online friends, and possibly how people one know are acting. I love my my online friends jusy as much as I love my irl friends. Even though I think I am better at showing it to online friends, but thay is just because my irl friendships work very differently.

 

What I am trying to say is, for me, they are both just as important.

 

Edit: I would also like to mention it might often be much easier to confine oneself to online friends. a reason for this us actually thay argument Swoop brought up. About physical or direct interaction. Which is something online friends gey to make up for the lack of so.

Edited March 7, 2012 by Sunnymilk

[Gdrlowmgqwmhopqw 107]

I think we all are forgetting the deciding factor here. When dealing with online friends, you can fart whenever you want and nobody will care.

 

Ok, sorry.. That was stupid. But yeah, they are important friends even if you can't meet them IRL.

 

Wait, do i have a right to share my opinion on this if i have neither IRL or online friends?

[Scootaloo Is Best Filly 576]

Way, I see it Online friends are more important to me then my RL friends. Take here for example We all ready have a common interest in MLP. With my real friends, I'm too afraid of being judged for liking this show. And to afraid to be judged by everyone else. Imaginary friends are not real people. When you have friends online, they are just as real as I am. Online friends mostly in my case just means someone you talk too, that lives far away from you be it on the West Coast or in another country entirely. Most of my Real Life friends are kinda jerks.

[Sandwhisper 33]

Yes, I believe they are.

Online, people can meet who your personality is first. IRL, you might hide that personality away if you were shy. And hey, people IRL might judge you. But people online are usually supportive of each other on the community. And yeah, I guess I can say that, while maybe not better, they're just as important as IRL friends.

[Jay6 29]

Online friends can be as important as irl friends. With me, I've got several online friends. I usually do my best to help them in whatever they need with life problems, or problems with homework, etc.. With friends IRL, I can meet up with them, and help them out in other needs, like if they need an extra hand with something. What I get in return? If the outcome of it all is a smile, that's all I need.

[Anonymous~ 588]

For me any kind of friendship is important, whether it would be in real life or the internet. I had few friends throughout my life, most of the times I was all alone. Though, this isn't so bad as it sounds. Because I had (and have) few friends I cherish friendship and would never betray a friend, I stay loyal.

 

So, yes. Internet friendship is as important as real life friendship, at least for me it is.

[Shankveld 4,945]

All my real life friends just want to party, go clubbing and get as drunk as can be (yay college life), since I work to support myself, go to school and am getting married these are not activities that interest me.

I enjoy intelligent conversation and discussion, but no one irl wants to discuss interesting topics.

I prefer my online friends, since they share the same view I have on this matter.

I don't need a physical friendship, since I merely don't have time for that.

I prefer my online friends to my rl life friends way more.

~

 

Not to mention my online friends care more about me,

[Knight Shadrahk 158]

I think my RL friends are more important to me.

My online friends are important, but I can`t really feel as close to an online friend as I can with a RL friend.

Edited March 7, 2012 by Knight Shadrahk

[Matackable 534]

Oh sweet Celestia of course they're just as important! Some of my best friends were people I've met through online forums and the like! Meeting someone online takes away a very big and confrontational aspect of meeting someone new and that's physical approach! You can open up more, share more, and express your feelings deeper with someone online as opposed to someone in person!

 

I'm not trying to say that online friends are better than having friends close to your own person. I'm basically just saying that the friendships and bonds people can hold with one another online can often be stronger than that of a person you've met face to face. If it weren't for some of my online friends, I would have been a deep emotional wreck when I was younger. I've gone through some very hard times in the past, but all of my friends, online or otherwise, have been there by my side to tell me that everything was going to be okay and that they were always going to be there for me.

 

That's a deep and loving sentiment no matter where the person is. So keep making friends! Don't let anyone tell you how to view or value friendships online! They can prove to be a vital role in your life and who knows! You might wind up meeting these people and form the best friendship you've ever had!

 

Keep your head up and stay strong! Love and peace as always!

Edited March 7, 2012 by Matackable

[Crazy Misty 653]

Thanks guys, I agree, my best friend is an online friend actually.

[Discordian 6,013]

All my real life friends just want to party, go clubbing and get as drunk as can be (yay college life), since I work to support myself, go to school and am getting married these are not activities that interest me.

I enjoy intelligent conversation and discussion, but no one irl wants to discuss interesting topics.

I prefer my online friends, since they share the same view I have on this matter.

I don't need a physical friendship, since I merely don't have time for that.

I prefer my online friends to my rl life friends way more.

~

 

Not to mention my online friends care more about me,

 

Shankveld is the most "normal" person I know on this forum, and she still says all this. I think it's okay to have online friends. xDDDD

 

Personally I have no friends IRL, I have a few acquaintances that I really like but none I could really call a friend. I would love some, yes, but I don't get out enough and don't have the money to be travelling everywhere to do things with them. (Yes, I know money isn't everything and that you don't have to spend money to make friends but it doesn't change the fact that it helps a lot! lol)

 

My online friends are some of the best friends I'll ever have. I have two friends in particular who...just...get me. They understand me even in all my weirdness and though I had a falling out with one of them a couple years ago we quickly got things patched up and we've been great friends ever since. I've told these two things I couldn't even tell my own mother and I have a GREAT relationship with my mom and tell her a lot of things. (She doesn't even care that I plan to go into her work at McDonalds and get a Happy Meal to get a MLP toy when they start. )

 

I've talked to these guys over Skype and all too so I know how their voices sound and how to interact with them that way despite the fact that I tend to stutter. Like Swoop said: There's no physical interaction but even though there isn't that it doesn't make online friends any less of a friend.

 

Many people try to say the internet is dangerous and you shouldn't trust people on there who you've never met but honestly it's not nearly as dangerous as they make it sound if you don't go to the shady places (Such as porn sites) I've been told to be careful of what I say to people online but I honestly trust the friends I have online with my secrets more than I trust anyone else. What's more is they return this favor by telling me their secrets knowing full well that I don't tell ANYONE secrets that are not mine to tell.

 

I still have very few true friends though, most people don't like to talk to me even online because I am slightly argumentative when I'm in rant mode and I'm also extremely weird and have opinions that tend to be....very different from the social norm.

 

And yet, I have internet friends that I trust with my life and I don't feel like there's anything wrong with that.

 

It's hard for me to make friends because people can like what I say but they usually don't stick around. The internet makes it slightly easier because you can easily find friends who are into the same thing since you can search for them rather than having to ask everypony what they like. Imagine MLPForums like....a sports bar. Everyone goes for drinking and sports there, here everyone comes for the ponies....and free refreshments! lol jk

 

The internet is easier to find friends but it's not any easier to friend true and best friends since those are hard to come by even in real life. It's hard to sense one's intentions whether it's online or offline.

 

.....Long ramble that was probably more than unnecessary but...you get the point. Online = Offline friends generally but for some like myself Online friends > Offline friends.

[Skullbuster 1,906]

I whole heartedly agree, I care a lot more about my online. Friends than I do my RL friends

 

Sadly my mother seems to think that everyone is a pedophile and that my online friends aren't my "real friends" when on fact they are

[Lady Rarity Pony 4,892]

I don't actually have any friends in real life.

 

^^ This

 

All my friends are online, and the friends I've made online have cared more for me than any friends (if I can even call them that) I've made in real life.

I would like to have friends in real life but I value the friends I have online just as much.

Online friends also don't even have to remain online friends forever, those geographically close to you can very well meet up with you.

 

With all this said, it's still important to at least try to find friends you can physically be with, lack of social interactions is not really the healthiest thing.

If you have an outlet that lets you meet people, take advantage of it.

I don't have any way of meeting people, therefore my only way of socializing is over the internet.

[Nico 790]

While I know that many other people have put forth great reasoning on why online friendships are just as important as physical ones, I'm going to go ahead and bombard you with my own wall of text as to why I agree with them. First and foremost, let's take a look at the definition of friendship.

 

friendship [frend-ship] [Source]

noun

 

1. the state of being a friend; associations as friends; to value a person's friendship

2. a friendly relation or intimacy

3. friendly feeling or disposition

4. magic

 

So, as you can see, friendship is defined in such a way that there is absolutely no mention of how you met the person. Therefore, given such knowledge, it's clear that a friendship should be just as important to you no matter how you met them or know them to this day.

 

When you measure the value someone holds for you it is a purely personal matter, something that nobody else can do for you, and it is completely up to how you feel to determine how important someone is to you. If a friend cares about you but they live across the country, it's no different if they were right there to breathe on you; they would care about you either way, as you would for them.

 

Simply put, despite the lack of physical interaction, friends are still the people they would be if you met them in person, and no more or less likable than they would be otherwise. Clearly online friends should be held in just as high esteem as your close friends you see personally on a day to day basis as long as they're good friends all the same.

 

Thank you. This has been Nico's unnecessary wall of text! **Bows and exits**

[Strafe 593]

Friendship is always magic, no matter what form.