Yes, they certainly can be. When people exchange ideas, support each other, play games, joke and tease, etc., that's real relating.They're different from face-to-face relationships, they have limitations, they emphasize different things, a cyberspace relationship may not work well in "meatspace" and vice-versa...but none of that makes them not "real." After all, face-to-face relationships vary a lot also in how people feel connected to each other, what they offer each other, etc., and that doesn't mean only certain kinds are "real."

Yes, it's likely easier to have some mistaken, fantasy idea of who someone is when you only interact online...but that does happen plenty IRL, too.