agree with you that social connections online are real and genuine. Well the fact that you can run into fake people online, is true but that's not necessarily exclusive to online people either, because getting close to someone online might mean more due diligence in testing their genuineness does not mean it's not possible to have real friends online I personally have many online friends and some of which are long term, very well trusted friends that I think very highly of.

Her assumption that the only real friendships are in RL or "local" (hate the term Real Life, because it assumes that Online connections do not constitute real life, butfor lack of a better term, I use it) is wrong. There are pros and cons of both types of friendships. Both are real but different in nature.

Being an introvert puts a damper on being social in everyday life and for some, online socializing is an answer to a potentially lonely life. Sure it's good to have both but like you say it's not like you can go out and grab a stranger and call them your friend.

i completely understand and agree. Working on the real social life myself but it's anything but a simple task

*hugs*