A figure on a screen is a demonizing and negative word directed as an insult to someone you communicate with in your daily life, but do not respect or value as an actual friend. A figure on a screen is not a friend at all to the person expressing this word.
Person A speaking to Person B: You are a Figure on a screen to me and you mean nothing more , however James is an actual friend to me.
A step below from a friend, more like a person you talk to for shits and giggles.
Luv you are a figure on a screen while I consider John to be an actual friend.
A person who is considered to be lesser then a friend.
Someone who does not hold value to you as a friend, but you still communicate with them by social media means or even by face to face contact.
This situation involves 3 people: Person 1, Person 2 , and Person 3. Person 1 is speaking to person two in this scenario
Person 1: I would be very upset and would care a lot if Person 3 did not speak with me anymore, however if Person 2 did not speak to me, I would not care because they are a figure on a screen to me and not an actual friend.