They can be real, but it’s a virtual friendship. It’s lesser than real friends IRL. It’s a lesser relationship.
But still, it can be a meaningful virtual friendship in your life, and with modern tech you can really be “in each other’s life” in a sense.
But it’s missing that tangible component. You miss all the real human interactions. The non-verbal comms, the subtlety, the physical trust and knowledge of each other.
But “internet friends” can meet up IRL and boom! Now you are IRL friends too!