Online relationships - Right or wrong? - [Closes 19/11/07]

[Agesilaus]

I believe internet relationships can work out if the goal of the relationship is to meet in real life. The only problem with that is the vast range of Internet relationships age wise is incredibly big. If you look at online virtual chat rooms, such as HabboHotel or instant messengers, meeting people on the internet through communication especially in non-moderated chat rooms, there is a risk to that. The person might not be who they say they are. Whilst gaining your trust to "love" them who are behind closed doors, they could lead you out of the boundaries of safeness on the internet if you are not careful enough. But, online safety is a point I will not go too far into.

On the more positive side to online dating, I must say that there has been an awesome amount of positive feedback. Adults who are looking for one to love and care for can get what they want. There are special sites which help them to meet the right person in real life and it can go well.

As far as keeping the relationship on the internet is, there are restrictions and as Garion has pointed out in his reply:

In my opinion, require a considerable element of physical contact to be a true relationship and the internet does not provide this contact.

I agree with that point, the internet does restrict the amount of interactions you can carry out. The relationship can still stand to a certain extent. Another problem with keeping a restricted relationship is that if the couple who are involved in the relationship could go out of control and the want to meet that person in real life, and I'm not saying that is going to happen to everyone but if so, that needs to be looked at carefully. I would suggest, depending on age and the usage of what site you met the person, should it be considered to carry out the proper procedure of a relationship over the internet to meet them in real life. I would never suggest any user on HabboHotel or any other virtual chat rooms with safety restrictions because of age matters actually go ahead and meet them in real life to get the full feel of a relationship.

If you don't agree with online relationships then please leave this forum, Habbo and every other chat site as all you are saying is that you can't feel for anyone online. Thus, meaning you can't make friends.

From what I know about this forum, I do believe people have a right to stay whether they believe in online relationships or not. Just because you may believe in online relationships does not mean everyone else has to believe in it. They can still feel for another person or be friends with them. There are options, and of course you can feel for someone on Habbo or any other chat site, because even though you might not see who they really are, there is a person behind that screen who does have feelings, who does feel pain, and who can care for other people. Without the real person there to control the Habbo, the Habbo will not be able to move. And the principal is the same with any other online communication devices.

To the point for people who do not believe in relationships, I'm pretty sure most of them can say that they can still make friends and are not trying to say anyone can't, there are levels. A relationship is different to a friendship in the context that it is used. You don't have to be in a relationship to become friends with someone.

[You]

If they're both happy then its fine.

[Ramones]

i think most the time it's for people who can't get a girlfriend or boyfriend in real life because they have no confidence or whatever, they can act like someone totally different over the internet but then if it does come to meeting up i doubt it will work because people act alot differently over the internet and real life. Of course i'm just talking about habbo teenage lovers, when it's like adult dating agencies it probably can work, two sad people get together. yay

[Immenseman]

I reckon if both of the people are happy with it then they should be allowed to act how they want. Even if they don't meet up but they're both cool with it then I don't see how it effects anyone else.

[Daphne,]

It depends. Personally I don't think that it is totally normal, but that all depends on the situation. If it is on say... an online game such as Habbo, I'm not for the idea. I think that it is wrong and is removing kids from the outside world. But then, if it is just two thirteen-year-olds who are just say "hey, love you" to each other, then it's pretty harmless.
Some people meet the love of their life on the internet, and good for them.. but 70%-90% of people you talk to on the internet aren't what/who they claim to be.

A bit risky if you ask me.

[Jazza]

It depends, if they people meet somewhere like Habbo then it's very sad but sometimes it can be good.

There's a girl I've been talking to for about 3 months now, we met in a chatroom and hit it off and I'm spending christmas with her. I think that's fair enough as it's going somewhere but if it's a 'relationship' just for the sake of it then there's no point.

[Throne Sofa]

I don't agree on like having a girlfriend on the internet as a serious one. Like you go on webcam and audio and speak to them daily, say you love them etc.
If it's just one like habbo, it's fine IMO as it's just for the fun of it.

[-Soph-]

If they meet up then I can see it working.

Like, online.. for example, someone is 45, they broke up with their husband, they probably are/think they are too old to go and meet someone, just like that.
so resorting to the net is probably the easiest thing.
I can see it working.

[Mikkaoz]

I'm currently in an on-line relationship. The only reason I am is because my girlfriend moved back to the USA, and I don't get to see her much until next year, the fact I love her and she loves me is enough to keep me going.

I'd say, anyone thinking of it. Try to see eachother once (if you can) before you dive into the deep end.

[Kross619]

Yeah, it could lead to all sorts of stuff with a murderer killing people that he meets on the internet, but for some people, it's a lifeline to them otherwise they would have no chance of meeting a partner.