Could a pen pal back in school in the 80’s be a friend? I always sucked at replying, mostly because I didn’t give a shit, but I seem to remember people talking and corresponding to others in friendlike qualities.

Why not?

Yes. I have friends that I have met through work and on-line that are friends (some men, some women) that I have never met face-to-face. Some of these people I have spoken with over the phone. One lady has been a good friend for the past 30 years.

It's easier for me to talk with people on the internet than in real life. I don't read body language or facial expression well because I'm Autistic. If I'm communicating in text, I "just" have to be careful about people misunderstanding the intent behind my words.

Additionally, it's easier for a lot of people with disabilities and chronic illnesses to interact online.

I would like to say yes, but there is so much more to a friend than words. I suppose the definiton of the word friend might need to be defined.

100% yes. I have a tiny group of people I met in an ex-christian Facebook group last year and now consider them some of my closest friends. We try to chat on video as a group at least once a week. They have been a HUGE support to me in my deconstruction and deconversion, absolutely invaluable.

Yes, with some limitations. The communication part is pretty easy with messaging, video chats and phone calls. But it's hard to meet for dinner or a beer and a good talk (visual cues and environment can be pretty important). For me it is likely to be a deeper friendship if I can at least see the friend in person from time to time.

Yes! I think that getting to know someone is more important than seeing them face to face, but it's always a plus to get to meet them in person.

Yes. I have a lot of close friends whom I can't meet in person because of distance. People don't cease to be people just because you aren't in their space.

I've got a few people I have met through common interest groups on Facebook and online games that I consider good friends, even though I have never met them. We share common interests, common senses of respect for each other, and witty banter.

I don't think I could ever 'fall in love' with somebody without meeting them and getting to know them in person - but friendship is a different matter.

Of course. It's all about trusting yourself and your ability to assess others.

I have a number of "friends" I met online on a social platform built around wordplay. Though I seldom login on that platform, I have remained connected with the friends I made there, and look forward to meeting some of them IRL.

Absolutely. I've got one that's going on 9 years. We've talked on the phone, skyped, and mailed each other things countless times.

yes, I have friends taht I wll never meet, at times I have finally met some I thought I never would.. Still friends.

Oh absolutely! I have many real friends that I doubt I will ever meet in person.

Absolutely! One of my best friends I met online . We knew eachother from playing video games about 10 years ago, and have chatted and been friends for a long time. Finally went down to Nevada to meet in person and we had a very drunken good time. So definitely can!

For everydaypeople, that's hard to say. If you met someone like Steven Hawking in person, wouldn't that be like meeting him online? Responses would be delayed, etc. Distance doesn't have to be a roadblock to friendship. And who is to say you won't meet in person someday? For politicans, fuck no. They should be near enough to strangle at any given point in time.

People aren't always what they seem (on-line). Maybe I've seen too many ID shows. Chances are, your friend is the real deal, but then there's always that tiny percent.

I would say yes absolutely, there's skype, talking and texting. There are ways of actual communication.

Oh absolutely! I have many real friends that I doubt I will ever meet in person.

NO!

It depends on your definition of a friend.....I happen to define friend as someone who supports,encourages and inspires me ..
So online friend for me is a real friend .

Sure. There is a group of women I've known for 15 years now, whom I met on a website. I've met a few of them, but not all of them, and they are absolutely my friends. They've been with me through everything.

A friend of mine e-introduce to his friend whom he believes shares same interest with me. We (me and the guy I got introduced to) have been talking for three years via phone calls, text, chats, without actually meeting in person. We have done many deals that involve huge sum of money. I could trust him with the last money I have. Actually, I met him in person for the first time less than two weeks ago, when I went on crazy trips across the country and stopped by his house for a night. So, yeah, you can have real friends you've never met in person before.

I’ve been friends with someone I met on a dating app for almost a year now. We’ve never met in person, but he’s definitely one of the few people in my life outside my obligated family who has been there for me when I needed someone to talk to. So, yeah, I could say it’s a real friendship.