The Internet has acquired the title (often ascribed to several other things) of "The Great Equalizer". Everyone is supposed to be able to simply be themselves, a goal aspired to in real life, but rarely achieved. The anonymity offered by placing a computer screen between oneself and the rest of the world creates a safe haven whereby one cannot be judged by any of society's standard check-off lists. However, this security also affords one the opportunity to lie through one's teeth about all those lists. Proponents of this tendency say that it allows one to be whatever one wants to be, which sounds good. Proponents also remind us that this is virtual and not real, anyway.
I would agree with those supporters of creative realities if those doing the creating were involved only with themselves. I disagree when it comes to being involved with other people. Unless there's some kind of mutual agreement that "this is all pretend" (in, for instance, a roleplaying setting), then the solo fantasy misrepresents itself as fact to those unprepared for fiction. I've seen far too many people get hurt by folks making up for a tiny ego with sumptuous lies. The same attitude of not caring about fact vs fiction also promotes a lot of silly posturing.
I believe that the attempt to escape from Plato's Cave cannot ever really be abandoned; we still need to strive for self-actualization no matter where we are. The unexamined life is still not worth living. Therefore, my personal policy when it comes to speaking about real life matters is to try to be as honest as possible, while still maintaining tact and discretion.