As was said before it is a great way to get to know yourself and introduce yourself to new fetishes or things you might not have tried. It was great for me starting out and I still play online although I have an IRL Master whom I am engaged to. I learned a lot about obedience: being honest is important in an online relationship especially if you will be punished if you couldn't or wouldn't do something. Ultimately it is up to you whether you will obey or not and it helped be to become a better submissive and pet for my Master.