One of the most unique effects of the Internet on human relationships has been the creation of a new medium: Online relationships. Thanks to the Internet, it is now possible for people thousands of miles away from each other to make contact, develop a friendship, and even get engaged or "married" from their home computer or mobile device! Not too many years ago this would have been very difficult or even impossible to accomplish. What effect has this new kind of relationship had on the world? That is the question this post will explore.
A study performed by Qing Tian of the University of Georgia analyzed social interaction in the "blogosphere." Drawing upon past research on the relationship between social anxiety and the Internet, he confirmed several existing theories on interpersonal communication and also revealed new findings (1).
Tian discusses two competing hypotheses: The Social Compensation Hypothesis, and the Rich-Get-Richer Hypothesis. The Social Compensation Hypothesis claims that computer-mediated communication (communication through the Internet and other non-face-to-face technologies) is beneficial to socially anxious individuals who struggle to communicate in face-to-face settings. The Rich-Get-Richer Hypothesis claims that those who already possess strong social skills can further develop these through computer-mediated communication. Tian's findings supported both hypotheses, demonstrating that the Internet can benefit both the socially skilled and the socially weak.
What does this have to do with online relationships? I think I can explain it best by sharing a story. When I was in elementary school and middle school, I was shy and didn't have very many friends. I had only one friend that I could consider "close." During these times, the Internet was booming, growing at a frantic pace. Without really knowing why, I found myself in an online discussion board centered around one of my favorite TV shows. There I was able to connect with other people who had similar interests, as none of my friends in real life knew anything about this show. Since that time, the Internet has allowed me to compensate for and gradually overcome my weakness by helping me communicate more effectively. I now have several friends online who I correspond with often, even though I don't even know their real names!
Online relationships have other purposes and effects besides overcoming social anxiety. Another study performed by Yann-Ling Chin at the Chinese University of Hong Kong explained that for many people in China, online relationships "provide not only emotional stimulation and distraction from the frustration of daily life, but also solace and support to the participants." He found that many participants want to keep their online friendships separate from their relationships offline, despite the increasing integration between online and offline interactions that is being witnessed in the world today. For these individuals, their online relationships are not intended to be a part of the "real world," but instead a way to escape the real world (2). I can relate to this feeling because I often use the Internet for the same purpose. Sometimes I just don't want to deal with my problems in a given moment, so I delay by escaping into the online world. It provides temporary gratification, but leaves me feeling that I wasted time I could have used doing something more productive.
There are bound to be many other effects resulting from online relationships. Cross-cultural boundaries are likely being whittled away as online communities form independently from geographical barriers. It is likely that more people who meet online are becoming friends or spouses in the offline world. And topics and ideas that are contentiously debated offline are likely debated ten times more heatedly online. Ultimately, these effects are neither wholly positive nor wholly negative, but they do yield greater insights into the role the Internet is playing in our lives.
1) Tian, Qing. "Social Anxiety, Motivation, Self-Disclosure, and Computer-Mediated Friendship: A Path Analysis of the Social Interaction in the Blogosphere." Communication Research 40.2 (2011): 237-60. Print.
2) Chinn, Yan-Ling. “Platonic relationships” in China’s online social milieu: a lubricant for
banal everyday life?" Chinese Journal of Communication 4.4 (2011): 400-16. Print.
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