It's definitely a thing that most people are less confrontational in person, because it's much more uncomfortable and there are stronger norms about being polite and cordial. And sometimes you just don't want to argue with somebody about a topic and so shrug it off with a well I see your point.
So I don't necessarily take it as a kind of cowardice or lack of strong belief in your opinions or inconsistency. There are rational reasons to sometimes soft-pedal or dodge a conversation in that different context.