Is it normal to prefer having online friends over irl friends?

77% Normal
4 Comments

Since the outbreak of COVID-19, people have been socially distancing and some people can't be with their friends face to face. Some people like my little brother feel horrible about this. However, I don't even have any friends in real life so this outbreak and social distancing haven't affected me much at all.

In real life, I don't exactly talk much at all and when I try to talk someone else says something before me because I'm slow in doing so. I have to think about what I say before I say it and if I try to talk without thinking it just comes out as gibberish. I have trouble with my impulses sometimes when emotion is overwhelming. I don't really say anything bad per se, but it gets hard to control the tone of my voice. So this has led me to not have any friends in real life and losing the ones I had since elementary school when I distanced myself from them.

When it comes to online, then I no longer have these issues. I can take my time to say something because it's through text, and we very rarely ever do voice chat. Since it's over text there isn't really a tone to my voice at all, so I don't have to worry about hurting people's feelings just because of something I struggle to control. My online friends also have interests very much closer to mine than anyone IRL ever could and I feel comfortable saying opinions to them I would otherwise die of embarrassment saying IRL.

So I'm definitely happier when it comes to having friends over the internet than in IRL. However, I don't think anyone would understand that so I never been open about it to my parents about that or anyone outside of them for that matter. If my parents ever asked if I had any friends I would simply say something like, "Yeah, at school" and dodge the question. On the other side of the coin, the thought of meeting one of my friends IRL is absolutely dreadful and terrifying, especially around anyone I know IRL. The idea of them seeing how I act IRL compared to being able to control myself better over text is the stuff of nightmares, I've also become terrified of talking with other people I barely know for long periods of time IRL. So with all that said, what do you think? Am I normal or do I belong in some kind of mental hospital?

Voting Results
77% Normal
Based on 13 votes (10 yes)
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Comments ( 4 )
  • jupitergirl
    3 years ago

    I just know that I’ve had some amazing online friendships. And maybe these friendships are your baby steps to the irl ones later on :) I think what you’re doing is ok for now. Maybe one day you get to meet one. That happened to me. As long as you stay open to the possibilities. People irl are great too! But it’s ok not to be there yet.

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  • bobalina1100
    3 years ago

    You don't belong in a mental hospital lol, but might have social anxiety or just a lack of exposure to social situations.

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  • [Old Memory]
    3 years ago

    Sounds like you are a loner.

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    • HushedPersona42
      3 years ago

      Am I really a loner though if I don't avoid talking to people over the internet? A loner is someone who avoids others entirely so I don't think that's really accurate. I definitely was a loner before I met my online friends though, I'll give you that.

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