u need first to define what is a "friend" according to u?
for u to get an answer to ur question, ask urself the folowing questions:

what are the qualities of a friend?

is everyone u know or meet in real life ..is ur friend?
what is the difference between a friend and acquaitnace?

to meet i can have a friend from everywhere; online or in real life.not everyone i konw in real life is my firend and the same goes with people i meet online.......

i have things i need in a person to consider him or her as a friend....so when i find the qualities i need in a person, he or she is my friend even if i meet the person online.