Online Relationships.

[Yiew]

There are a few catagories that fall into these two words.

Let me briefly describe them.

Firstly we have th Online Relationship. This is where two people meet purely online, and begin their relationship over the internet. These two people IM chat, possibly webcam and share deep feelings that blossom. In the end they try to meet up in person.

This type of relationship we will be discussing.

Please keep in mind the Pros, Cons and variables that fall into this relationship.

Pros:
a) Its easy to break off
b) Some people find it easier to talk via IM than in person
c) Builds up an emotional relationship before basing anything on the physical attraction side
d) Theres no real 'real life' complications
e) Good form of therapy for those with social disorders
Cons:
a) You dont get to SEE each other, or be WITH each other in the physical sense - No physical sensation
b) Other person may not be serious
c) Its the internet
d) Detrimental to people's ability to create real life relationships.
e) Peoples personalities are different in different environments. building a relationship from encounters online is very similar to building one based on lies. not that there is anything wrong with that

You might say 'But Yiew, there are more Pros than Cons' - Well, I summarised them basically. There are more, and I probably missed a few important ones. So, through out this thread, I will be updating the front page with Pros and Cons according to you guys. This is all up for discussion, what are your personal tastes, what do you think about it and the people.

Pleas keep this as a serious discussion, as a few people on AA have met people before, both for friends relationship and possibly a serious Boy + Girl relationship.

This is where this thread may break off and the seperation occurs.

What I wanted this thread to be about was the Boy + Girl, Boy + Boy or Girl + Girl relationship (All areas = Bi, Gay, Straight). Romantic relationship. How ever, is it any different if you plan to meet up just to be friends? I will take two people from AA for example. Chris-chan and Colby met on AA. They then decided to meet in real life. Things went well and now they are friends both online and in real life.
What is your say about it? Does a romantic relationship have the stigma of being weird and dangerous compared to 'Its ok if they're just friends' meeting?

I open the board for you, AA, to discuss =)

Romantic Relationship
Friend Relationship
Long Distance Relationship - Something rather different.

If you want to touch briefly on the Long Distance relationship, please do. Its kind of the same, but essentially you already have that initial Human contact.

*Note* This thread is to not push ideas onto others. No flaming will be tolerated. Please state your opinion and do not criticise others. How ever, I will allow for debating to continue, but if it gets too out of hand I will put a stop to it.

[Qawls]

KUDOS!!
Great thread!
People could learn a lot from this thread, they may even come to their senses...
This is the one and only time you'll be hearing this from me Yiew so enjoy!

Qawls.

[Euphrasia]

People should decided on a relationship however they please, whether it be over the internet or in reality.

[Sen-Chan]

Well, I met Uberdaemon in real life off AnimeA...
Nothing wrong with it, we are friends :)
But as for relationships, I know someone who met someone over the net, and they are now married happily with 2 kids.
For myself, its not what I would do, but I dont mind it if the people involved are happy.
Im a supportive friend, so I dont mind either way ^^

[Kaiser7]

great thread Yiew. umm... i think that online relationships mean something, but no much. there are some that i would like to meet that i met in AA, like RR, loveandcry, Kisaki X-pan, Aura-chan and Aca. they seem cool(i mean like they are friendly) but even though i want to meet these guys, i think it would be akward in a way.but still, it would be nice to meet some of you guys in person.

[74|\||\|3R]

Hmm... i feel online relationships and bonds can be as real as IRL bonds.
ill say. in my whole experience.. my closest friends are on the net, and not in real life.
I feel its easier to connect to people and to open up, to be who I am, and i think they are. I also don't see anything wrong with online relationships.
I feel that they can be just as real, In emotion and in context as any other relationship, and as such, just as fragile. Provided thou you find 2 honest human beings, not intent on hurting other for amusement, or lie just cause they want to play around. i think these relationships can last and blossom into maybe something more.. that's my feelings anyways.


I know i have found ppl i have become attached to online, and thou things never panned out. i never once regretted getting to know those ppl on a deeper level. I think online relationships are completely probable and acceptable. o.o

Another pro. is that online relationships may allow ppl without such social skill to finally be able to communicate with others in a socially acceptable way, and thus build up thier own confidence.. a pseudo stepping stone if you will.. Thou there is the reverse side to it where it can become an emotional crutch.

[Shinoi16]

people should decide what better for them. But i prefer Real life.

[RighteousRob]

as far as making friends online I don't see a problem with it, my brother moved from Michigan to L.A. on nothing more than having met a friend online. (not a romantic type of relationship)

as for becoming romantically involved I see a few problems with it:

Yes, it is easier for many people to communicate online, but because of this the people you may be attached to may not be the same person as if you had met them in real life. Peoples personalities change depending on the situation and basing a relationship from someone you've never had a face to face with is risky.

Secondly because people are having relationships online they will put less effort into pursing people actually in their area. They become more dependent on being able to talk to others online that they are hurting their chances of actually finding someone real they can connect with. The fact is even though it is awkward dating is a big part of life and online dating is nothing like real life dating.

but it's not all bad, a big pro I see in online relationships is with those that truly can't communicate with people in life, the internet can be a form of therapy for them and help them relax when it comes to interacting with people. I am not referring to all the people out there that blush and put their "foots" in their mouths when talking to the opposite sex, I mean people that truly cannot interact with strangers of any sex, I have met these people and it is incredibly hard on them .

So in summary:

Pro: Good form of therapy for those with social disorders

Con: Detrimental to people's ability to create real life relationships.
Con: Peoples personalities are different in different environments. building a relationship from encounters online is very similar to building one based on lies. not that there is anything wrong with that

[holloow]

looooooooooooooool Rob :D:D:D i always laugh when i read your posts :D:D
i think for a friendship the internet is great but a relationship, not so much!!!
i mean a month of online chatting can be done in one date in real life, besides a real life meeting has a kind of thrill and excitement that you can never get online......
and really romance is all about physical attraction (no physical attraction = no romance)
yiew said that "you can break up easily" as a pro but i think it can really be a con!!!!

[Deekle]

Love is love, I really don't mind how people meet or share their feelings.

As for me, I really don't like to have any online relationships besides friends. I don't need a gf online to satisfy me and I am fine with having friends. Of coarse online friends can't do everything a real life friend can do so I think it is important for people to prioritize real friends first. But I am all up for Online friendships. I would only date if the person is about 3-5 hours by car. Still, it would be hard to forge a deep relationship.