I meet my on line friends in real life for the same reason that you meet your friends ... because I want to and it's nice to meet friends now and then. What I wanted and expected from those meetings was some pleasant company, good conversation and light-heartedness, which is exactly what I did get.
Did I meet them on line in the first place - yes. And I've been chatting to them for a fair number of years now.
Why did I start chatting and making friends on line ? Because we all need some close friends, and I'd spent a long time not being in contact with my close friends from before I was married.
I did tell you that, at the time I got married, most of my friends were women not men. And when I say friends I mean friends, not girlfriends, not lovers or occasional lovers as well as friends, just friends who happen to have been women. Do you get upset if your man says he's going out for a drink with the lads ? Possibly not, but if he said he was going out for a drink with the girls I'm fairly sure you would not be amused. Why would my wife be any different ?
Do I chat to men on line ? Sometimes, but I prefer the company of the female of the species. I fyou really want to know why, just ask and I'll explain it.
Does my wife chat on line ? No - she prefers to talk to real people in real life. Would it bother me if she was chatting to an occasionally meeting men ? No, because I trust her completely.
Finally, I get the feeling you are not convinced that it is possible for a man to have female friends who are just friends. The bad news is that they can, just as women can have male friends who are friends and nothing else. Not that I think you'll believe me, but that's not my fault :-)