People usually criticize you for developing strong online relationships. You know how it goes, with the growing influence of technology in our lives its hard for us nowadays to not meet people online. But that comes with major risks, like getting Catfished. Cat fishing has become such a concern hat MTV even dedicated a whole TV show to it. Thanks Max and Nev for providing with me endless hours of entertainment.

Anyway, the internet can be a scary place for many reasons, but the biggest may be you never know who’s online. A computer screen makes it effortless for people to hide their real identities and intentions. That nice guy you’ve been talking to for over a year? Yeah, he’s actually a she and she has a violent history, but you never knew that. (Once again, I thank MTV for the example.)

But just because there’s a few liars online, doesn’t mean everyone on the internet is a threat.

It’s a legitimate way to meet friends from all around the world. Other’s may not understand how it’s even possible to feel so close to someone you’ve never met but let me tell you something; their opinions do not matter.

Whether your family and friends understand it or not, there’s something immensely extraordinary about having internet friends. The truth is, one of you was courageous enough to send that first message via Tumblr, Instagram, Facebook, or yes, even Tinder. But damn aren’t you glad you did.

The Internet works to make a world that seems big and scary, small and accessible. Odds are, your internet friends are far away. Maybe they’re in a state on the opposite side of the country, or they’re literally on the opposite side of the globe. Either way, distance and money are probably issues preventing you from meeting up in real life. While many see this as a setback, it’s one of the reasons these friendships are so successful.

Depending on where you and your friend connected, you’ve had to go through the very vulnerable process of giving up your anonymity, sharing your name and pictures of yourself. It feels liberating to describe yourself to someone else. You find out more about yourself when you have to describe yourself to others too because they can’t experience it firsthand.

On top of that, once you’ve entered the acquaintance, or mutual, territory you starthaving actual conversations. Soon you’re talking every time your online, which translates to talking everyday. Soon enough you realize you talk to them more than the friends you have living right next to you.

The fact that you can’t be with your internet friends in real life means you actually talk more and can have more meaningful relationships. The screen in front of you works as a barrier that actually makes you more vulnerable in many ways. Stronger connects develop because you have to be totally open with your internet friends.

They may even come to know a different version of you than your real friends because you aren’t scared to talk about anything and everything with them due to that looming possibility that you’ll never actually meet this person.

That’s kinda sad too, that this person who now plays such an important part in your life is someone you may never get to meet. But it definitely brings you closer together. There needs to be more effort put into this relationship for it to last, and that’s why they’re the most meaningful. In a sense, they get to know the real you. You’re not afraid to say anything and be whoever you want to be, and they can have a long-lasting impact on your life.

And if that isn’t enough to convince you just think, you’ll always have a place to stay if you eventually travel.

So the next time someone thinks your weird because you talk to people online, tell them the truth; having internet friends who share your interests are some of the best friendships you can develop.