It is a tide that will not turn seeker though I share your pessimism. My recollection of journals kept in the early 20th century had similar cautions about the use of the telephone...

Some of the best friends in my life have been met on this venue. There have never been any romatic expectations and most of these conections have beeen based upon a serious common interest...but the most valued commodity within such relationships is time...Time allows the display of consistency and that, for me, is the conerstone of trust.

But being that this tool of ours that I type upon now will certainly only intrude deeper upon our lives as time marches on, again the responsibility for safe and prudent habits fall to parents and their teaching. We have to pay attention all the time IRL and here if we wish to limit our exposure in becoming a victim. But I guess one generality might be safe here in saying that a jerk is a jerk whether typing, talking or touching our hand...

IMHO...

Lenny