Adolescents who had fewer friends- especially fewer close friends- were more likely to use the internet. The Internet allows for greater self-disclosure due to greater anonymity as opposed to real-life interaction. Online communication then becomes intimate for adolescents, as they are often shy due to their stage of development. Boys seem to benefit more from online communication than adolescent girls (Schouten, Valkenburg & Peter, 2007). Boys often have trouble expressing their feelings than girls do in face-to-face interaction (McNelles & Connolly, 1999)”]
Source: http://webspace.ship.edu/jacamp/psyberpsych/adolescents/Relationship%20Quality.html