Internet: How do we invest in friendships?

After reading the MacAthur Foundation Report on Digital Media and Learning I was suprised to learn that "Most youth use online networks to extend friendships that they naviagate in the familiar contexts of school, religous organizations, sporths, and other local activities. They can be "always on," in constant contact with thier friends, via texting, instant messaging, moblile phones, and Internet connections...The majoirty of youth use new media to "hang out" and extend existing friendships in these ways." This information bothers me becuase I feel that children are missing opportunities to develop real friendships. How do we teach children to see other people as trustworthy? How do we teach children the power of investment when it comes to friendship? It is not very easy to nurtue a friendship with someone you can not see or feel. I beleive that this is an impotant issue children face when making friends on the Internt. Also the chances of dishonesty are very high in an internet friendshiip. While making friends on the internet one has to be extrememly careful.