Okay kiddo, so sometimes people pretend to be sick or have medical problems to get attention from others. This is called Munchausen syndrome. But did you know that people can do this online too? When someone pretends to be sick or have a medical problem on the internet, we call it Munchausen by internet.
Just like in real life, people with Munchausen by internet want others to feel sorry for them and give them attention. They might even go to online support groups or forums and pretend to be someone else, just so that they can get attention and sympathy.
It's important to remember that people with Munchausen by internet aren't actually sick or in need of medical attention, but they might still try to convince others that they are. This can be harmful because it takes attention away from people who actually need help and can cause confusion and mistrust within online communities.
If you ever come across someone who you suspect is pretending to be sick online, it's always important to be supportive and kind, but remember to take care of yourself too. It's okay to set boundaries and take a break from communicating with someone who makes you uncomfortable or who you feel is being dishonest.