is it wise to make friends online

I think it's wise, as long as you really know who you're talking to. That could be done by checking other references on the person or by some long time talking. I've known some of my best friends today because of the internet, even internationally, so I think you should never give up the idea of making friends all over the globe. Also, if you need to talk about a private subject, you know that that person can't contact your family/friends/lover (the matter of such subject) so you kinda feel better talking to someone who won't ruin everything. =]