The Mezzanine

My son has social anxiety. Part of his issue is very slow processing, so it can take him awhile to respond, especially with new people, or in loud settings. IRL, people often assume that's because he doesn't have anything to say or because he just ins't that bright, both of which are not true. On-line, as others have posted, he's able to reply in his own time.

Another issue: sometimes, I think, social anxiety is made worse by being with people who don't get you and your interests. Gotta love the Internet, where you can find and interact with like-minded people you'd never get to meet IRL.