support, companionship, and being able to work through disagreements as important parts of a quality friendship. But that closeness can also make conflict feel bigger. If one friendship becomes a child’s entire social connection, “You’re not my best friend anymore” can feel devastating. A dis- agreement can feel like losing everyone. Learning how to handle those moments is part of growing up, too. Friendships change, interests shift, and sometimes friendships end. Having multiple, meaningful friendships can give children other places to turn as they navigate those changes, rather than putting all of their social life on one person. The Impact of Digital Friendships Today, friendship doesn’t always require being in the same physical place. Children can play video games with people across the world, connect through shared passions, or find communities through social media and fandoms. Pew Research Center’s 2024 research found that among teen video-game players, 89 per- cent play with other people, and 47 percent say they’ve made a friend online because of a video game.
to your child even when it exists primarily online. Digital spaces may help them find people with similar interests, maintain friend- ships after a move or school change, and connect with communities they might not find in their everyday lives. But that connection comes with compli- cations, too. Among U.S. teens, 74 percent say social media makes them feel more connected to their friends. At the same time, 39 percent say it can leave them feeling overwhelmed by drama, while 31 percent say it can make them feel excluded by friends, according to a 2025 report from the Pew Research Center. For parents, online friendships don’t nec- essarily have to be depicted as “not real.” Instead, focus on understanding who your children are connecting with, where those interactions happen, and what information they’re sharing and engaging with. What Does This Mean for Parents? The Child Mind Institute also advises parents not to place too many of their own social expectations on their children. Instead of counting how many friends a child has, par- ents can look at the quality of their children’s social circle.
Does my child feel like they belong some- where? Do they have someone they trust? Can they navigate disagreements? Are they comfortable being themselves around their friends? Do they have opportunities to meet kids with similar interests? Does one friendship seem to carry the entire weight of their social world? Are their online friendships age-appropriate and safe? Having a close friend during a child’s devel- opmental years is beneficial. It’s someone they can confide in, grow with, learn and play with, and discover new things alongside as they grow up. Still, children today might not have one per- son who occupies every corner of their social life. They might have someone they laugh with, someone they confide in, someone who shares their interests, and someone who just gets them—and those people don’t neces- sarily have to be the same person. So maybe it’s not the end of the BFF, but simply a broader idea of what childhood friendship can look like and how each can bring something different to a child’s life.
Questions parents should consider:
An online friendship can still feel very real
CINCINNATIFAMILYMAGAZINE.COM | NOVEMBER 2026 11
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