This is a sad story. And it recalls this, which is a must-read.

The weird thing is that I just didn't realize the extent to which people (especially young people?) are having online "relationships" with people that they've never met.

It's just not something I've spent any time thinking about. It seems patently ridiculous, on the one hand, but on the other hand totally and completely predictable.

I am so out of touch with humanity.