I agree that it's a little invalidating to shut down a thread that the majority of posters really want to participate in. This is to process feelings about something that has already occurred, so telling people to avoid a thread like this is unrealistic.

This is a good learning experience for anyone who uses social media as a way to connect with people and make friends. It's a great way to meet people but still needs to be approached with caution in any context- whether it be PC, dating sites, Facebook and other social media. If you've never met someone in the flesh, then you don't really know them. Just for self preservation it's wise not to invest too much emotionally until you're able to confirm their identity.