Is the internet, like this site a good option when looking for a friend or partner?

Like before when there was only email, a person could claim to be something they were not before webcams as such, but now, not only with everyones access to the internet, and webcams, you can see the actual person. So, in short, is it ok to look online, even on this site for friendship. I do see a lot of bad remarks unfortunally still about gays on the net, but I hope it is mostly just bored children.