I see this topic as a very juicy one.

People who are behind the screens are flesh and blood people, as we are.

Only online things seems to go faster than in face to face connections. You can connect them instantaneously and for a long period of time, almost daily. So this is why it may be easier to let you drive and anything seems even more authentic and deep than irl.

This is why predators find their perfect hunt ground on the net linked to the possibility of anonymity, with innocent people such as kids or adolescents. But, also with
old generations such as mine one who are not still used to this stuff.

The other great difference is social barriers. One can show himself with much more freedom online and this is where the evil or the magic could happens.
For example, in my case, I find easier to meet and know someone on line because I feel less anxious and I can choose the pace. I can be a better version of myself without all those fears and anxiety. I can go little by little. Showing myself up to a point I feel comfortable with.
But, what happens if a person fakes a persona to get his own agenda and take advantages of your ingenuity. Here’s the problem.

Just like the real life, only with its own characteristics.

Another aspect to take into account is that if we connect with people from mental health forums, we are gonna find people like us, who struggle day on and day off with their issues.
Example, I find so hard to speak on the phone with someone from my irl than from someone I only know online. And if I’m feeling depressed I won’t probably have the energy to share with my online contacts in the same way I lack of energy to deal with my irl contacts.

It’s natural that you ask why they ghosted you. But take the assumption that online contacts are evil per se is unfair.