Friendship and trust in the time of cyberspace

She has a novel way of meeting strangers. She doesn't have to muster up the courage to walk up to someone and say "hello" with a smile, and then get a cold shoulder. Nor does she need to worry about meeting a nameless and potentially dangerous Internet pal. All she has to do is click a button on a US-based social networking website.

"I love finding or making friends on this website because everyone on it uses a real identity," says Mandy Li. "It gives me a strong sense of trust and safety."

So what are we talking about? Is it the traditional BBS or blogs, which are full of nicknames and false identities?