Can someone internet stalk you, steal your identity etc. just by learning your first name?

Question

I have a friend online, who I don't know in real life, who seems nice, but my parents-being the caring people that they are, are convinced that horrible things can happen to me just because I told the person my first name. What do you think?

Answer 1

You'll be fine, just don't give out any more personal information.

Answer 2

Not unless someone manages to contact a person that you do actually know in real life and fool them into giving out more information about you, such as your surname... but that's very unlikely.