Internet Socialization: Real life or just an alternative to life?

I was talking to a friend at work today and telling her how much I enjoyed playing on answers after work. She said she never could get why people would rather skip out on real life and socialize online. It's hard to explain but at least I don't have to get dressed up to talk to my online associates. So we lightly debated about it. She thinks it's an alternative to a real life because you give up your life. I just happen to think it's an additional resource for socialization but not a replacement for a real life. What do you guys think?