I know there are some negative aspects to the internet, but....isn't it wonderful that we can reach out, converse, and make friends with people anywhere in the world they may be ?
definitely.
i first went online in '72 or '73. playing the original Dungeon-crawler game over my 110 baud modem. fun times.
within a year, i learned how to download actual programs (often from Russia back then) and started learning how to talk to people online. i remember a lengthy conversation i had with someone in France or Belgium (back when i still remembered all my French)
then, the BBS's started. it became even more freaking amazing that no matter where in the world you lived, you could actually talk to people all over the word!
it was glorious
and then, a year or two later, the web started to take shape. i remember thinking "holy crap, this might actually catch on"
so... yes... it is truly wonderful
we are lucky to be able to make friends this way, but it's been a long time in the making
Cheers, friends!