7 To What Extent Do You Consider The Increasing Popularity Of Internet-based Friendships And Relationships To Be Desirable?

The Internet has brought a significant number of advantages to the human race, however the wrong use of it can bring serious consequences. In these days, this media has become one of the largest ways of communication in the world. Here the statement is presented: is this increment in popularity really desirable?

It is true that meeting new people can be hard, especially when people are searching for a relationship or a true friendship. With the help of the computer everything becomes easier and effortless. The time that it would usually take a normal person to get to know new people is remarkably reduced. The variety is large and persons from all around the world are present in the Internet, making the possibility of finding what you are searching for is as vast as the ocean. In spite of this, online relationships can be extremely dangerous, leading to great amount of consequences attached to it. Between them we can find cyber bullying, identity theft and in many cases sexual harassment. Nowadays thousands of people are victims of the Internet, causing in them mental breakdowns and psychiatrically disorders. Regularly, persons use fake or hidden identities in order to approach to their victims.

By sitting right in front of your machine you can interact with people and build relations without the need of leaving your house, how comfortable is that? Impressive, right? If you happen to be punished or cannot leave your home for some reason, you can keep in touch with your “online friends”. This is a great benefit for people who have health disorders as it keeps their social life active. However, an invasion of privacy can be produce by your “friends” and here is when stalkers enter into your life. You may be giving information you are not supposed to give as you have trust someone you should not have. Stalkers are motivated by a desire to control, intimidate or influence a victim and may have as an effect kidnapping, defamation, slander, false accusations, etc.

There are many times when you are not supposed to tell your friends something, or you believe they are not going to understand your situation or simply you feel embarrassed about a specific position you find in; who would be a greater choice than a person you do not know personally? Different advices, a new way of thinking and it saves you from awkward situations. This “friends” can give you their support and it may be useful as a counsel. Nonetheless what about what our parents talked to us since we where young? “Never trust anyone you don’t know”? People may not be who they seem to be so you may be telling your secrets to the wrong person. Most of the times online friendships and relationships are not long-lasting as you do not get to know their background information or who they say they are. Many aspects of the individual are probably hidden and there is no way to verify that everything you are said is true, or up to what extent is it reliable.

I

...