Parents always tell their children to be careful online and "Don't talk to strangers."
Ironically, that's where many teenagers find their closest friends. Being cautious is essential, but having long distance friendships isn't bad. Maybe instead of telling kids not to talk to anyone online, children and teens should be encouraged to tell their parents when they begin talking to someone. Because, at some point, they're probably going to receive a message from someone they don't know. It could be dangerous, yes, but as long as no personal information is given out, it can be fun to have friends online.
Internet friendship is an interesting thing, and many people don't seem to understand.
"How can they be your best friend?"
"You're just talking to a screen."
Or perhaps the worst, "You don't even know them."
Most people are concerned about safety. It's definitely a huge issue, and more attention should be brought to internet safety. I think that the best thing for kids or teenagers to do is to tell their parents, or another adult, if they meet someone.
Since approximately 57% of teenagers in the United States alone have met a friend online, kids should be taught about internet safety instead of immediately being told not to talk to anyone. They might talk to someone anyway, so it's safer for them if they understand how to be safe online.
Let's pretend, for a moment, that safety isn't an issue. Although this is unrealistic, just pretend that everyone online is real and harmless. When people think about it this way, they may realize that it's amazing that we have the ability to send a message to someone across the country, or around the world, and get a response within seconds. When two people share an interest in something and begin talking, they may actually learn some interesting things about other places in the world, and other cultures and beliefs.
Another thing about long distance friendships is that they can be amazing, but also sad.
"There is magic in long-distance friendships. They let you relate to other human beings in a way that goes beyond being physically together and is often more profound," said Diana Cortes, author.
If you become close friends with someone that lives far away, you can text, call, or video call; but those things still aren't the same as being face-to-face. Have you ever really just needed a hug from your best friend? Obviously that isn't possible for friends who live far away, so that makes it harder for two people to stay friends. At the same time, though, it could be a good thing. It could make the friendship stronger, because you both have your own everyday lives and people to deal with, but then you get a message or a call from your best friend and all of that goes away for a while.
I'm not saying that everyone should try to meet strangers online. I'm definitely not saying it's a good idea to reply to any random person or to give out your personal information. Never plan to meet someone in person, unless your parents know about it, and are with you.
There are dangerous people out there, but it's not fair to assume that everyone is a stalker, killer, or a pervert.