Do you think online friendships can be an adequate substitute for face-to-face encounters?

Human interaction and communication is far more subtle and nuanced than can be conveyed electronically.

Depends. If you were friends before the advent of the internet/social media era, such friendships can be maintained across time and distances.

But nothing beats face to face. Friends can tell each other stuff without misunderstandings. Nuances are taken into account and it's more immediate.

The amount of information and communication that goes on through body language, facial expressions and reactions in real-time, and just the vibe you get from people while you're with them can't be captured via social media. It's completely on a different level. Much deeper.

I don't think they are a substitute but they can be a complement. I think meeting people in-person is a basic human need, but online friendships mean you can connect with people on the other side of the planet. It's all good.

Yes, because they already are. Whether they are an ADEQUATE substitute remains to be seen

Thanks to social media, I have more friends and acquaintances than I had previously. Fortunately, I've subsequently been able to meet all of them in the flesh.

Lol. Online "friendship" is not friendship. Your 500 Facebook "friends" couldn't care less about you, no matter how much you think they are your friends.

I only see some of my closest friends every few years. But we chat nearly daily. I wouldn’t say it’s a substitute, but as usual the wording of the JT question is a bit of a mess. But I would say that quality friendships can be maintained online.

With how non commital Japanense are in real world, much better is online.

2019 is drastically different from life was like during the years of 1999 and 2009. When my friends and I wanted to talk to someone, we would go to school and spark up a conversation with them. Even speak to someone on the train during our commutes to school. Meet people at parties. People spent more time outdoors during those times. Today, the internet has made people more indoors than ever before. People can even become activists or protest from their own homes. So the adequacy of how you meet someone is more a sign of the changing times.

Different types of social dynamics.

Online mode not as fulsome, but good if proximity is not required or preferred

Could face time your online friend... For that "face to face".

But if you mean locality, someone from your local community that grew up under similar circumstances then perhaps no.

It's a good preliminary step, but they are not really friends until you have met in the flesh. That said, when you finally do meet, you've got a head start on the friendship.

It's as good a way to meet people as any. Then, you can meet and decide either to continue the relationship or go back to texting. I have many good friends whom I've met on social media that I wouldn't have known otherwise.

INVALID CSRF

Lol. Online "friendship" is not friendship. Your 500 Facebook "friends" couldn't care less about you, no matter how much you think they are your friends.

Sounds more like twitter than FB. It's true that some people collect a staggering amount of acquaintance on FB, but it's also true that the service is a great way to maintain friendships across the years. Living thousands of miles away from family and old friends, one gets to appreciate such platforms.

Obviously, I'd prefer real time if it were possible.

Invalid CSRF

Of course yes if people are overseas, or disabled or... Denying it is to deny friendship as communication of mutual respect or happiness.

Facial issues and body language are easily seen through live video chatting. I did vote NO though.