With the creation of the Internet some years ago, a door was opened to the world. This door was opened just a crack because at first with any new thing, things bumped along just a little. It wasn’t easy, things were slow, and computers were slow. As things sped up, both connection wise and computer wise, more and more people jumped on the World Wide Web. People began to meet and converse with people that instead of meeting somewhere down the street from them they meet online. This person you meet may not be close. In fact, they can be states or countries away. Chat rooms, journaling and blogging sites, and message boards all allow people that share similar interests to meet and converse.
Once you meet, you can go into the safety of conversing privately through emails or instant messengers such as AIM or ICQ. Friendships develop and build. Some feel that the safety of the computer screen between them that it is safe to open up and completely let someone in. Their thoughts and feelings all on display. For some, their is worry because some that surf the World Wide Web aren’t all that honorable. Some are looking to exploit those that they meet. People of all ages surf the Internet, and teenagers and children that surf are at risk.
This isn’t the point of this post though. Sometimes people meet and over time things just click time after time. The closer you allow someone in, even if it is just words and nicely colored fonts, they are still your feelings you are putting out there. Crushes are common, feelings developing is not unheard of, and yes some even go so far as online date when the feelings are returned. Over the years, I’ve seen others enter online relationships. Those people I consider friends have entered them, and yes I have entered them myself. Both times with a female.
Article comments
1 - Mark Sahm
The problem with keeping an online relationship in cyberspace for too long is that your imagination of the person can grow beyond them in reality.
It should strictly be for connection, ice breaking, etc... not for the long haul.
2 - eyebrow esquire
i've never done the online dating thing, but i guess it's always an option. for a recluse, it's easier to be honest to a computer screen. but i agree with Mark that sometimes the distance distorts reality and a "meeting" is inevitable. it is becoming a viable alternative to traditional dating methods. good post!
3 - Mark Sahm
Regina, and just in case you were wondering if it really works, it does. I met my fiance online 2 years ago. But shhh, don't tell anyone. I'd hate for the dating service to come after me for an endorsement. :o)
4 - Gina
I agree online relationships should only start online and then move offline. Sometimes with just the online connection the persons involved can put the other on a pedestal of perfection, and this isn't healthy. Everyone has flaws. So yes I agree it should be a starting point only.