Distance Won’t Separate Us

Growing up, ears tended to take in the warning “Don’t talk to strangers”.  There are murderers, kidnappers, stalkers, you name it, lurking around at any place any time all around the world and the one stranger you talk to could be that person.  But then again, should we always live in fear and almost drop socializing?

No.

Socializing takes place both in person and online.  At first, online socializing focused on dating, but now in this time of era there is a new type of relationship forming: internet friends. There are not too many people who are aware of what internet friends are, but to sum it up, they are friends made via social media.  These bonds have spread worldwide.  Friends are made across the world, one country with another, one state with another, even one town with another.  Some bonds so strong, the friends meet up, taking the next step and even flying to one another.  How did these bonds form?  Talking to strangers, just as all bonds do.  With social media, people may come across others who like the same celebrity, and then bonds form; people may come across others who went to the same event as they have and posted in the same hashtag, and then bonds form.  With the live broadcasting app YouNow, some people may come across a broadcaster who catches their attention, the broadcaster and audience members talk, and then bonds form.  There are a variety of ways to meet people online, and any of them can result in internet friends. Video chatting is expected to take place at some point as well during the friendship, to feel closer to the friend and to avoid an instance of "catfishing".  

Sometimes, the person who understands you the most and even is one of the best friends you will ever have is not near you.  Social media is the ultimate way to meet that friend and connect with them. 

For those parents who do not believe in internet friends, I suggest witnessing them and then the judgment can be further made.  Experience goes a long way; changes your perspective in a 360.  Internet friends do the same.  They change lives.  They bring a happiness that was out of reach.