Do Internet Relationships Work? (ENDS 31/07/2011)

[The Don]

It makes everything less personal, like before, you would've had to have gone out and met people face to face, gain confidence, socialize properly whereas now, you can meet people on facebook which makes everything less intimate.

[beth]

The thing is shyness I think. Like if someone spoke to me, I talk loads and loads and loads online but if they met me irl they'd probably hate me because I'm pretty shy. But some people who aren't shy irl could come online and talk how they normally do and be the same irl. You just don't know do ya

i guess i don't understand it because i've never had issues with confidence/shyness, and i think it does come down to that. i do find it a bit false though, and that's why internet dating is dodgy. because someone (without even meaning to) could be projecting a false image of themself, and imagining driving like 300 miles to meet up with someone you think you "love" and just not even liking them at all ha. cringe.

[ifuseekamy]

Yeah if it's between some young adolescents. In older people I think it's a bit strange and of course it can never replace real life relationships, just like socialising online isn't comparable to socialising in real life. All in all I don't disagree with them but I think children should be encouraged to have real life relationships with people their own age as it provides them with proper practise and social skills they'll need for adult ones.

[GirlNextDoor15]

I could talk and talk and talk about this but I'm going to make it short. Internet relationships usually don't work. It depends on how much effort you put in it and how real is the relationship. Teenagers or young adults often find themselves falling in love with the people on the internet because internet creates a sense of virtual reality. Everything looks so real to you but it's not. For example, the other side might say that he loves you but the feelings can change once he meets up with you. In my life, I don't believe in relationships love (husband and wife) but I believe in feelings. It's the feeling that made you feel like you're in love.

I don't think that they work unless they regularly meet up and live in the same country, if it's just 100% online then that's pointless.

Long distance relationships usually won't work out. Even if you put in effort like seeing them once or twice per month, you will still be fed up of trying to work the relationships out when it's so obvious that it won't work out. However, moving and trying to live with the other side will need a lot of effort and in the end, do you think it is worth it? No, it's not worth it. I'm saying this based on my experience with a guy I met online.

I cannot be bothered to read all the posts here but I think everybody is missing this point. About the 'how real is the relationship', I doubt everyone will believe me but the relationship could be a scam or something similar to that. Humans can do stupid things in order to get what they want, right?

[Felix]

*REMOVED*

They are the stupidest thing known to man. Anyone who does this, obviously is someone who is very insecure about them self, and can not go talk to a man or woman.
I personally do not think that they would last, and I think half the reason is, is because half the time one of the two is a child molester and they rape then murder the child.

Edited by sct (Forum Manager): Please do not post inappropriately.

[lawrawrrr]

*REMOVED*
They are the stupidest thing known to man. Anyone who does this, obviously is someone who is very insecure about them self, and can not go talk to a man or woman.
I personally do not think that they would last, and I think half the reason is, is because half the time one of the two is a child molester and they rape then murder the child.

That's a bit harsh :S

What about the thousands of people every year who meet on dating websites? If, and only if, one of the parties lies about age/looks/whatever, then yeah, it was a bad idea, but people think this happens SO MUCH MORE than it actually does. I'm not denying it happens, but it's difficult to keep up a lie in this digital age - with webcams, microphones, social networking sites etc. If you never hear or see anything but what the person tells you - then of course you have to doubt their trust, but most of the time you can tell.

They can work.

[Hecktix]

*REMOVED*
They are the stupidest thing known to man. Anyone who does this, obviously is someone who is very insecure about them self, and can not go talk to a man or woman.
I personally do not think that they would last, and I think half the reason is, is because half the time one of the two is a child molester and they rape then murder the child.

You sir, always were a douche and still are by the looks of things.

I will echo the things said by many in this thread, notably Kelly, bethie & Laura - there's no such thing as an internet relationship, there is however such thing as dating someone you met online, however you have to meet them before anything can happen otherwise it's mere fantasy.

[!!BeWise!!]

1) Can relationships be considered 'real' if they are purely on the internet?
Although I haven't had any experiences on online dating or having an intimate relationship online, I don't know if I'm supposed to say this, but since I'm a simple thinker who likes positivity, I think that it is possible to have this 'real' relationship through the internet, just depends on the individuals situation on how willing they are to devote to each other and keep the relationship going to make it internet-'real' in to real life. (Sorry if it doesn't make any sense :/)

2) Do you think that they are right or wrong?
I can't say that they are both 100% right or wrong because there are both cases where the relationship actually works or where people mistake each other and end up being in a bad situation.
But I guess I'd like to think that they are right

3) Based on this, do you have any good/bad examples of internet relationships that you can use to explain your opinions?
Sorry, I have no experience, so I can't say much.

[Felix]

I guess what i said was a bit harsh, though I ment like a habbo relation ship. Sure, people meet on dating sites and get somewhere. Though virtual things are plain stupid.

Thanks oli.

[samsaBEAR]

i guess i don't understand it because i've never had issues with confidence/shyness, and i think it does come down to that. i do find it a bit false though, and that's why internet dating is dodgy. because someone (without even meaning to) could be projecting a false image of themself, and imagining driving like 300 miles to meet up with someone you think you "love" and just not even liking them at all ha. cringe.

don't lie, the first time we met you were well shy haha.