Hi Cari, and welcome.

You do need to sit down with your mom and explain things to her about how you feel and how much you need her. They are right, use "I" statements and don't accuse or she will retreat more into the internet.

Unfortunately the internet is a place where you can be whomever you want to be, esp in chat rooms......there is no honesty there. Your mom needs to know that you love her for who she is, and that you need her.

Take care............

Mary Alice