Some days ago, I wrote something on the subject as a reply to Gahalia. See the link below.

At any rate, the following consideration should be taken into account:
- parent should always complain about our activities; at least, they try to have care of what we're doing in our life.
- Internet should not replace our daily activities; going to school/work, meeting other people in the real world, doing some sports, in a few words living our life in a healty way cannot be done only on-line.
- In-person relationships are necessary to our life and growth as eating food or breathing; this because on-line experiences may degenerate into a safe but unreal world in which we hide our weaknesses.

> I don't think my parents take my time spent on RinkChat very seriously.

Well, if you spend a *lot* of time online and don't go out, don't sleep, don't eat and so, maybe we should discuss a bit more about it.
If your on-line activity is a part of your life as school/work, sports, etc., then don't worry and let your parents complain (well, they should complain about their son's life, otherwise there's something wrong with them).


> Who said you can't make a friend over the internet?
>

Out of Rinkworks (I started using Internet as a medium to communicate with people in 1992) I've a lot of Italian, European and American friends.
I'm going to marry my actual girlfriend; I met her two years ago through a mailing list about trekking and tourism in Northern Italy.
Usually my American friends, when travel to Europe for business, find the time to divert from their route to come to Milan (I never understand if they do it because are interested in *me* or in Italian food :) ).

Regards,
AP.