I’ve been struggling with this one a while now and even though it’s not about a romantic relationship, I hope you can help. I am a 26 year old female in a 5+ year serious relationship. I am a part-time educator and I play a lot of online multiplayer games. I have recently become friends with someone I play online with a lot, and we now chat really casually via Facebook messenger (but are not Facebook friends).

He seems like a good kid with a good head on his shoulders and at this point I am invested is his life and success just as you would be with any dear friend. However, he is ten years my junior. My significant other is fine with our friendship, as is the friend in question and as am I. But I did find out recently that his parents do not know about our friendship, and I think this is due to the fact that I am so much older than he is and he feels they would not be comfortable with it. I am truly conflicted. I do not have any feelings for this young man other than friendly ones, and I believe he feels the same though obviously I couldn’t possibly know for sure. Regardless, this will never evolve beyond friendship and we will probably never meet each other in real life. I just worry that this is a friendship that could be viewed as inappropriate because of the age difference, even though there is no inappropriate intent. Is this something I should be concerned about? Or am I overreacting? I am feeling very conflicted about the whole situation as I enjoy his friendship but would never ever want to give anyone (especially his parents!!) the wrong idea. Thank you for your help!