Should people you meet online be considered real friends or should you have to meet them in person?

I hate it when people are bragging about all these people they know online. I say they shut up and meet them for real.

Should people you meet online be considered real friends or should you have to meet them in person?
it doesnt matter
Reply:I agree. you can't call them your friends until you know eachother in person, like how you look on a picture online could be a complete fake.
Reply:No, I don't think that people you meet online are your real friends. They are definitely good to talk to sometimes, especially when you feel like you can't talk to the people who really know you. But there's a quote that says "a true friend is one who knows all about you and still likes you." Personally I don't think internet friends can really know you because they do not spend time with you. Yes, you can spill your guts to them and you can release your secrets, but who are you really talking to on the other end??? You have no idea! You really don't. They can show you anybody's picture and put in any birthdate or zip code. They can be a totally different individual because no one is actually physically present. So, yes, it's important to physically meet and spend adequate time with one another to be considered true friends. You also have to consider the risks that are involved as well. More and more these days, people do not think there is any harm in internet relationships. There are still and will always be those creeps, pathological liars, controlling personalities, psychopaths, anti-social personality disorders, married individuals who say they're single... the list goes on and on... just always be very careful and research into this... you can't take anyone's word anymore.