When that relationship is a drag on you, then it is time to let it go. If you no longer get pleasure from it, then it is a burden. Set that burden down and lighten your load. Move on.

Maybe it's time to have a heart-to-heart with this person. Maybe it won't end up being the relationship you thought it would, but it still may be a valuable connection to you in some other way.

What does it need to lead to?

What CarolLynne said. Communicating is almost 90% of communication

Does it bring you joy or sadness? Is it only serving to keep you from feeling completely alone? Maybe it’s time to move along if it’s not serving your needs.

I think it all depends on the friendship/relationship and what you expect... If it's someone you're looking at as a romantic prospect and nothing's moving forward with that, you may want to talk to the person about it and/or let them go; if a nice friendship has developed from it, by all means concentrate on that aspect of the connection instead... If it's a friend, well, I've only dropped people if they've crossed a line, done something hurtful or offensive and didn't own it or apologize, or if their attitude/behavior became difficult towards me, and again they wouldn't own it or just took offense... More often than not, sometimes one or both of us needs some distance, but that doesn't mean disconnecting from them... I also think it's a matter of what you expect from them.

Even before. When one realizes that communication is like beating one's head against a wall. Communication is not an exact science but with some people it becomes pretty certain everything you say becomes a grounds for battle. I don't block others but will ignore them when things become dramatic.

Depends on how fast you want it to progress and how patient you are. I Recently had to let one go on here

when you're comfortable telling the person

Sooner rather than later. Time spent hoping is time that you will never get back.

Never let go, if you truly care. I have been hanging on for three years, can't let go even though I know nothing will ever change. I try to forget and move on but, haven't found anyone who wants to give it a try.

Never. It's only an opportunity to make new acquaintances as a starting point. Whater may happen or not after that is up to the parties involved

When it starts to affect your life, job, relationship...

If you find yourself questioning (which you are) - it’s time.

When you realize it’s never going to lead to anything and ‘trying’ just doesn’t feel worth it.

Ditch your phone go outside go clubbing go dancing meet people outside and have real intimacy.

about 10 years ago I was playing an online game on facebook.. at one part of the game to "level up" you had to add/connect with friends .. (looking back now I would never do this today).. ended up adding some completely random people from the USA .. 10 years later two of those people are still on my friends list.. I sometimes talk to them more then I do my local "fb friends"..
so..
if you can still be friends with the person, why do you feel you need to let it go at all..?

I guess if you were 'intimate' with this person in any way , and if you ever got yourself a boyfriend maybe he might have an issue ? (of course if he did I would also suggest to drop his ass as he sounds controlling lol )
...
of course I readily admit im NOT the most normal person.. I still have three female Friends (because there just wasnt enough chemistry to keep dating) who I am also online friends with..

gotta agree w/Taladad......decision reached,time to book

Did you have a specific outcome in mind? Does it have to lead to somethingor can it just be what it is? I am curious because I have had the same thought.

Right away, like as soon as it comes to you that it’s not a good thing.Time is not on your side. Don’t waste a millisecond.

It's already led to something. I think you mean it will not have the resolution you wish. So, you can have an on-line friend forgo your Internet relationship; it seems likely your relationship will change if you keep it, because you will change your expectations for it.

Does it have to lead to anything? I personally can't see how an online friendship could lead to anything else. Although I'm a newbie to this online stuff.n

It depends on what "lead to" means. I have friends on this site who are just that, and there are no expectations. But if you wanted something else and aren't getting it, then maybe it's time to stop responding.

Friendships are important. Though if this friendship is preventing you from dating someone else, then by all means, you need to move on. If instead you are able to date or at least contemplate starting a new relationship, then why would you want to lose a friend?