That's a choice they make, not some sort of immutable "reality".
Peer pressure's an incredibly strong force, as is the stigma of being an outsider.
Which is pure nonsense.
Were this true, you'd never see an in-game funeral for someone who died in real life.
Were this true, people could never meet online only to build a relationship and marry IRL.
Were this true, Facebook wouldn't have any value as a communication tool between distant people.
Even though you can call them relationships.