Online friends absolutely count as real friends. It doesnt matter where you met; its the social emotional connection that counts. You may start out with digital communication and move onto hanging out in person, or you may take a while to meet due to distance.

Is it bad to have no IRL friends?

Know that its completely normal to not have friends. Its not weird, and its even common: 1 in 5 have no close friends. Imagine that every fifth person you meet on your next walk has no close friends. Visualizing this can help us feel less weird and alien: Youre never alone feeling lonely.

What do you mean by online friends?

A person you know exclusively through the Internet (which includes social networking sites like Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest) or email and will rarely, if ever, meet is considered an online friend. An online friendship begins when two people bond and have things in common, just like an offline relationship.

Should I have online friends?

Parents may be worried, but experts arent concerned. They say online friendships, which often form within teens extended networks, are generally OK as long as teens balance the interactions, stay safe and realize the limitations. In fact, the trend could continue as social media grows in scope and popularity.