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'The Internet and Social Relationships'

Despite early studies that internet use leads to anti-social behaviour, later findings indicate positive aspects of engaging in online socialising.

Early Fears About Internet and Social Relationships Contradicted

Greater use of the Internet has been associated with significant declines in social involvement as measured by communication with the family and the size of people’s local social networks, and with increases in loneliness, a psychological state associated with social involvement.

Up until 7 years ago, use of the Internet had been associated with significant declines in social involvement. It  was believed that internet usage lead to an increase in depression, loneliness, and neglect of existing close relationships. Also it was said to create a sterile and negative form of social exchange and communication which in turn could lead to the crumbling of community and society.

However, recent research led to opposite conclusions supporting that the negative effects of using the Internet had dissipated,  and indicated that the internet has a positive effect on social and psychological well-being, and allows individuals and groups to connect in ways they would not otherwise.

It is now supported that people who used the internet are more likely to have an increase in:

So what accounts for this change in beliefs about the use of the internet and the effect it has on people?

One could argue that the Internet has changed. Online dating, discussion boards, social networking, instant messaging. It’s just a different Internet. The other argument one can make is that the users have changed — when the first studies was conducted, only about the third of the population had access to the Internet. Now, everyone’s online.

Internet, FaceBook, MySpace, Social Networking Sites and Relationships

Many national studies found that internet users are not less likely to visit or call friends and that they actually have larger social networks. The internet provides a cheaper way for people to stay in touch with family and friends, and, in many cases, extend their social networks. Socialising on the internet has proved to help teenagers cope with stress of modern day life, and is an innovative way to share homework tips, learn new social skills, and build new relationships all over the world.

Also unlike regional newspapers, for example, the internet makes news about distant cities as accessible as news about one’s hometown.

The Internet's Effect on Forming New Relationships

on-line relationships are similar to those created face-to-face in terms of their  depth and quality. According to research  a large number of people reported forming a close relationship with someone they had first met on the internet. More than 50% of these relationships had moved from an internet relationship to a "real life" one, and nearly a quarter became engaged, married or lived together. This is because  people were better able to express their "true selves" (aspects they felt were important but they weren't able to present in public).

The relative anonymity of being on-line promotes self-expression. In addition, the relative absence of non-verbal cues (e.g. attractiveness) and the ability to link with others with similar interests, values and beliefs facilitates the formation of relationships based on deeper connections such as shared values and beliefs.

The Internet has become an integral part of most peoples lives, and for many, it's the way they do much of their personal business as well as their professional business. This is not all good or all bad, however, most computer mediated communication research indicates a positive relationship between the internet and forming or maintaining social relationships. The internet appears to complement rather than detract from forming and maintaining relationships.