In life, we will make friends many times over. Growing research suggests that the number
of people using the Internet in the world increased drastically to 2.8 billion by the end
of last year, perhaps an indicator that many people's habit of making friends are vastly
changing. Even though the new way of making friends is gaining popularity, we cannot conceal
the fact that online friendship can hardly replace real-world friendship since the relationship
between face-to-face friends is more reliable and more precious.
Face-to-face friends are always great to talk to and reliable when we're in need of their help.
As we are hugging our friends at the front door, we may feel a sense of safety and reality which
we cannot get on the Internet. Close friends are familiar with not only each other but mutual
parents. They know our telephone number and address exactly so they can find us easily when we
are in trouble. A recent media coverage of the death in China of a 19-year-old boy named Zeng
who committed suicide after posting a suicide note online has galvanized critics of the virtual
world. No online friends would save his life since they did not know what exactly happened to
him. If only there were many face-to-face friends around him.
Nowadays, friendship in real life values more than friendship online. When we recall the happy
memories in our life, such as a birthday party, a hiking tour or a shopping experience after a
fascinating movie, we may notice that there are always friends there who are not the long list
of names on the Facebook. They are people who share the good time with us when we are up, give
courage to us when we are down and help us seek the silver lining when we are lost. They are
the treasures in our life.
Of course online friends are also important. Social media does take one away from real friends.
But at the same time, it does help boost one's confidence since there is no one to actually see
our actions. It all depends on how we use social media. Always remember to come back to real
life and cherish every friendship in our life.