Recent research from the Intelligence Group studying teen online behavior concludes that although teens love their online communication, they prefer real friends over virtual friends. Here are some of the results of the study:
-91% prefer real friends, 9% prefer online friends
-87% prefer to date someone from school, 13% prefer to date someone from the Internet
-54% prefer to instant message a friend, 46% prefer to call on the phone
-The average teen has signed up for four social networking sites and currently belongs to two.
It would appear that although the Internet is a wonderful invention of electronic relationship building, this segment of human beings still likes to build relationships the old-fashioned way, through face-to-face, interpersonal communication.
Where is this going? Is the Internet going to create preferred virtual relationships for people rather than real ones? Are we going to sit in our house and relate to strangers all over the world, but not go next door and meet our neighbors?
What are the benefits one gets, or society gets, by virtual relationship building?
What are the drawbacks you see in the future?
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Posts
38 comments:
Social relationships created in real life tend to have stronger bonds than those made online. Perhaps its because you do not have the luxury of mystery on your side when standing face to face with someone. You tend to hide things, or let your ego go when behind a key board. In real life, what you see is what you get.
Josh Ewing
Virtual Relationships replacing Face to Face? That would be similar to me saying video games like Wii Sports, Rock Band, and Shaun White: Road Trip replacing outdoor sports, true musicianship, and snowboarding.
Yes I admit that the previous paragraph kind of over-exaggerated a bit however there is no way to replace face to face contact.
When talking online with someone I can't actually see them or bring my surroundings to the conversation nor can I see my receivers reaction. But the most obvious reason is that I can't actually go to places or hang out with them.
I understand that chatting on an Instant Messenger has its strong points like being able to be in contact with a wide amount of individuals at once but it has far too many weaknesses to overtake face to face interaction.
Well that's my take at least.
- Nader Omar
I think that it is a possibility that people could someday prefer to relate to people of the internet instead of those that are near to them but the internet is not the first to make this happen. Pen pals have been around before the internet was and the need for people to relate to strangers far away is only out of curiosity. Of course we all love our real friends and families but the possibility to speak with someone in another world is just interesting. I believe we will always prefer our personal friends over virtual ones because due to the deception online it is hard to believe that the person you are talking to is honestly interested in the same things you are. The internet isn't ruining relationships it just helps you be able to connect with people at one time you may never have met otherwise
George Whyte MCCNM
I think this is rediculous. The computer should not run peoples lives. We need to get out and socialize. Yes I admit I talk to people on myspace but I'd rather get together with them instead. This also relates to what we talked about in class with the dog comic. The person you are talking to may be disquiosing themselves.
I agree that relationships are better when you actually know the person rather than meeting them on the internet. However I found it is possible to meet people on the internet and have a strong relationship with people. I have gotten to know someone thru the internet and weve pretty much talked everyday for the last year. So I know shes not a man because we have talked on the phone alot.
Jeremy Romero
Media and Society
Scocial and Virtual relationships are almost completely different. Real relationships seem to be more in depth and last alot longer and maybe even mean alot more. Virtual relationships are harder to hold on to because of the fact of trust. Virtual relationship count alot on communication and not really being able to see each other. Even though many people say that communication is a major part in a relationship, there are also other things that make up a relationship. I prefer real relationships.
-Kyle Morehouse.
When it comes to internet relationships and actual relationships, actual relationships are obviously more realistic. You will get to know the person you like face to face and not on a monitor. An advantage to having a real relationship is you get to meet the person and not have to wonder what they are like. Everything is exclusive with real relationships.
It would not be wise to have a virtual relationship because there are many online predators who disguse themselves. There are some cases of online predators that are reported. It's just wise to have a real relationship.
There have been instances where I had virtual relationships. I thought I was head over heels for the person who lived in another state. Over time I realized it's not wise to have a virtual relationship because you'll want to be with someone who lives in the same vicinity as you.
I mostly prefer real relationships. They are the way to go.
DaMarkus James, Mass Communications 101
Of course in reality an actual relationship is better compared to a virtual relationship. Actual relationships you can be face to face and get to know each other in many other ways. With virtual relationships you only get the verbal side. You have to believe everything the person is telling you when it could actually be a lie. There have been a lot of stories in the news about older men trying to pick up younger girls through a social network like myspace or facebook.
For some the internet might create preferred relationships because they aren't accepted by anyone else. They may find someone who is interested in them and start their own relationship. Also other people who may have had a lot of issues with actual relationships may turn to the internet to find someone. There are millions of people on the internet so just imagine how easy it would be to find someone you are compatible with.
One benefit about being social virtually is that you can socialize with people from across the world. You can learn about someones culture and their way of life. Also just because you can't see the person doesn't mean that you can't become good friends. All you have to do is pick and choose carefully and not trust everyone you talk to online.
Amanda
I do not believe that the percentages of those who prefer online relationships will continue to increase a great deal. There will always be those who prefer to meet people online, mainly because of personal reasons, yet most people do want and appreciate the strength that real life relationships hold. I've had experience with a meeting a person online and than eventually meeting them in person. From this experience, I will probably never do it again. When you're online, you can be anyone you want to be. You can lie and manipulate. Once meeting the person, I realized they claimed to be many things they were not. I genuinely hope that our society does not eventually prefer online relationships, but I guess we'll just have to wait and find out.
Virtual or Real?
Well, I see a simple problem.
People in general are sitting on the computer for hours and hours, I have been guilty of this. Anticipating emails from 'friends' or 'acquaintances', becoming excited or nervous when waiting for a reply, similar to awaiting a letter in the mail.
For me I lost this sensation long ago when the newness wore off. But for some it's not about experienceing the new it's about experiencing a relationship online. I believe the stress level and pressure is actually less when experiencing an online relationship. You don't have to "get ready" for the date. You don't have to make sure you are "skinny enough" or "smart enough", essentially you must login and communicate via the virtual world.
My opinion is that those with low self esteem with be drawn towards the virtual dating world but then again if you want to meet someone across seas in different country the internet might be the best avenue to take.
I see our culture turning to the way of the internet already. Gone are the days when people actually have to learn "people skills" and function in everyday life. There is evidence of this already with the online dating services. Whatever happened to just getting out into the world and meeting someone? Now you can sit on your butt and scroll through possible "soul mates". Face to face interaction is becoming a thing of the past. People would much rather meet people from the internet rather than face to face.
This is kind of an interesting topic. I kind of think that it's better to get to know a person when you meet them in person for the first time. If we meet a person on the internet, they may be hiding something from us. It's always a mystery when you meet someone online. If you ask me, we're better off meeting someone in real life.
Paul Meyer MCCMN 101 11:00
When standing face to face with someone all your flaws are layed bare, be the flaws internally or externally. Talking to people online gives the user more confidence in themself because they can hide behind lies, or facts that are slightly warped.
In only being in virtual relationshpis you lose the parts of life, that help you to grow up and help you to become a better person through being rejected and dealing with those rejections.
Kelli Kavinsky
I think that media in general is starting to take over younger people's lives. It seems like more and more kids are staying inside plyaing video games, watching TV, or are on Myspace or Facebook. I'm not saying that these things are bad, but when that is all that kids do it starts to be a little much.
I do think that virtual relationships can be a good thing because you can meet people you would never be able to otherwise or you can keep in touch with people who have moved away. The only thing that I may have a problem with is when people start talking with someone and start to develop feelings for them because you can never be sure the person you are talking to is telling you the truth about themselves. It is like that dog comic that we talked about in class; on the internet nobody knows who you really are
Nikki A
MCCNM 101@9:30
Although I believe the number of people who prefer a virtual relationship will increase, I believe more people will prefer a real relationship, because people crave human contact. Even though one can hide flaws and think about their response before posting it online, there will always be that sense of curiosity that makes a person want to know what the other person looks like in the real world. That’s why the questions of sex, age, hair color, eye color, ethnicity, and body type, are usually the first thing people will ask when conversing in a virtual conversation. Also many people who converse in online chats eventually bring up the question of meeting, because one cannot help but become curios about the truths or lies that person has stated to them online. Are we to hide forever in a virtual world to just to be accepted? True, online relationships can be based more on personality because one cannot be judged by looks but if all people were to become isolated to a room with a computer then what’s to become of our race? Are we to become animals that only come out to breed to ensure the survival of our race, while spending the rest of our lives depending on virtual relationships?
I see a few pros and cons to virtual relationship building. When using online sites people are able to correspond to anybody worldwide, which connects people of different countries and cultures. This can help bridge differences between cultures. Also, the internet can help to connect people who have lost contact with each other. However, if virtual relationship building gets to serious, people can become somewhat antisocial. The best relationships are those that are human to human. This is also the best way to communicate. When people get so engrossed with the computer they tend to loose touch with the real world.
Molly Cotner
MCCNM 101 11:00
This is an interesting way of looking at communication among my generation and the generation below mine. Though the internet has made wonderful things possible and communication easier it still doesn’t make up for relationships made the “old fashion” way. In fact when I asked my friends about this I was surprised by how many said that they have been tricked or fooled in the past be an internet “friend”. I think that my generation still has their guard up when it comes to making online friends as oppose to real life friends.
From my experience the more time I spent chatting online and surfing the web the more I felt as though I was isolated. It seemed like what ever else was going on outside of my online experience did not seem to matter, because I was so rapped up in my own micro-universe. I think that as each generation is introduced to the internets good and bad qualities it is more likely that people will feel like disconnected from the real world and more involved with the online world.
Megan Kane
Media and Society
9:30am
I think in some ways social relationships on the internet are okay. Talking to someone in a different country can have its rewards but I think it also can be dangerous. Nobody ever knows who is on the other side of the screen so it could be a dangerous person. I also think the real live relationships are healthier because it gives a person social skills and the ability to communicate in the real world with real people.
Brittany Valdez MCCNM 101
When you talk to people on line. You do not get to see that person you are talking to. Virtual friendship, you wont get to to know the person as well. you just talk to each other on the computer. Like in real friendships you get to know the person better. The real friendship you can hang out and do some activities.
Nate Lawrence
There is nothing entirely wrong with having friends online. However, the problem comes when the only friends you have are online. For teenagers who have more virtual relationships, it's easier for them to hop on the computer and chat, than it is to go out and introduce yourself to someone and make new friends. But you have to draw the line between just plain shy, and a hermit. And with technology changing the way it is, I wouldn't be surprised if the number of teens who prefered online relationships started to increase.
I think that relationships can work either way, although I am more of a fan for meeting people in person, rather than online. I believe that when you are younger, it is more important to meet people face to face for a few reasons. First, it is good to get out of the house and have contact with people, rather than sitting inside and relying on technology all your life. Second, I think it is a safer way to make sure these people you are meeting online are who they claim to be.
When you are older there are some sites which can help a person meet new people. Popular sites like Myspace and Facebook are great ways to make friends and also keep in contact with freinds from the past. Sites such as eHarmony are good for finding a possible soulmate.
Pretty much what I am trying to say is that either way is okay in my opinion, but it is more based off of age.
-Jeff Lown
There is a growing likeness for building a relationship over the web rather than in real life. Although for teens it seems that it is not about to change the feeling of taking someone out on a date. In the long run people are not going to give up completely on their old fashion relationships. This whole new networking relationship process cannot hope to take away from the original process to which we are all accustomed to. If anything this whole new relationship building over the web will help people who have a hard time with going out and meeting people face to face. That's about it.
the internet will never ever replace the face to face relationship nomatter how much technology advances. the personal face to face is the only true way of knowing who people really are. on the internet you can be whoever you want. face to face is the way to go.
I agree with Ms. Mullen are we really going to sit at our house and talk to people we don't even know but we can't make friends with our neighbors that live right next to us. This dating stuff on the internet makes no sense to me because how do you have true feelings with someone when you have no closest with them in person. There is no affection because they are on a monitor a million miles away and could be talking to a lot more people. Then you have the parents saying that my kids sits in front of their computers for hours and they don't do anything about because they don't want to understand there children. Some kids that are accepted on the internet then in real life which is completely fine but don't blame the other kids that do activities without inviting their kid. I just don't see how a relationship on the net can be stronger then in person and you don't know who you are even talking to on there because the net has become wild and will keep getting crazier.
i am one of those people who have many of the chatting websites. i think that people prefer relationships with people they know because you never know who is on the other side of the screen talking to you. i enjoy having virtual relationships as well because it helps you build your social network and maybe there are good people out there wo have similar hobbies as you. i feel more comfortable with people who i have had a relationship for years with but theres nothing wrong with having online friends because they usually are there for the same reason you are.
The idea is virtual relationships will replace face to face ones is a ridiculous concern in my opinion. I can't speak for the entire population, but even though the average teen apparently belongs to two social online networks, I myself use those networks to communicate with people I know in real life and already have a face to face relationship. I would be willing to wager that the majority of teens use these social networks to keep in touch with people who they know on a personal level and if they start a virtual relationship they eventually meet that person face to face.
One of the benefits that I think you get from virtual relationships is being able to expand your knowledge of others across the country and the world. The drawback of this is that as much as you may talk to someone on the internet they still are complete strangers I think that teenagers often forget that and it makes them more vulnerable to unwanted relationships. But its good to see that most teenagers still prefer to communicate face to face! A real relationship is always better than a virtual one!
It is often easier to make online friends because a person can hide any insercurities they may be faced with in real life situations. Online someone can be whoever they want. It gives a person the lag time to write how they want to be portrayed. In real life everything is based on your first impression, online you have to ability to perfectly form your first impression on sites such as myspace. If it is easier for someone to make friends online they should do it.
Kelly Hughes
MCCNM 101
This study is somewhat surprising to me. With all the time that today’s teens spend on the internet; it sort of shocks me that they still prefer having face-to-face communication lines. It makes me wonder if teens really like the internet or just the fact that it’s convenient. Are we as a society loosing focus of our purpose here on Earth? We are all so caught up in ourselves, and the world “we” live in that I think sometimes we forget how important it is to talk to others. We may forget how good that feels until we reconnect with an old friend. I also believe we gain more from a face-to-face conversation. Instant messages, Myspace comments, and emails contain no form of emotion that we gain from interpersonal communication. I don’t ever think our world will be completely computerized. There will always be the people that won’t communicate via email. We will always have that longing to speak to someone face-to-face. Humans are social people that need to feel a sense of accomplishment that can only be gained from the praise or encouragement of another human being.
Lindsay Reeves
MCCNM 101 11:00
I do agree that the present day trends are to use online and technological resources to build and maintain resources, but I do not think it is necessarily a negative thing. There simply needs to be a balance. An individual cannot rely entirely on virtual relationships and eliminate face to face contact, but technology has also allowed people who never would have met to build a relationship. It is also more convenient than ever to stay in touch with people whom otherwise would have lost touch. Therefore, i do not think that virtual technology is replacing face to face interaction, it has simply added another dimension to connect with others.
After reviewing this blog post I don't think that internet relationships will ever take the place of in person face-to-face relationships. I personally only use the internet to talk to people that I don't see everyday or very often. Besides using it for that purpose I don't talk to people or meet people over the web. Usually when someone meets another person on the internet from a dating website, for example, they choose to eventually meet up with that peron if they feel there is a connection between the two. This being said, the relationship may start out on the internet but will eventually lead to an in person relationship.
To me, online relationships are sort of pointless, but it's always nice to just have a simple chat with someone. Online relationships may influence seclusion from "the real world" and may even affect someone's personality and behavior. The relationship the body has with the mind is pretty remarkable. I have read a multitude of Scientific American Mind magazines and Popular Sciences magazines, and I do like to find out interesting things dealing with pschology... This brings me to this: Did you know that sunlight has an effect on a person's mind? The lack of sunlight attributes to depression...AND people who tend to be in extremely well-lit environments tend to be less depressed. So if people eventually become more affixed with this potentially unhealthy lifestyle, then we have more and more depressed citizens, which could also affect them in the future with medical expenses for anti-depressants...
But, then again, I may just be blowing this out of proportion. It's just my though on this sort of thing.
I am going to tie this with the suicide on the small screen post on the Prof. E. blog That blog post talks about a 13 girl that committed suicide when a fictitious boyfriend broke up with her. How can you have a relationship so strong that when you break up with a person without ever seeing them face to face you kill yourself. Now obviously there were other factors including bullying, but seriously how can you have a relationship with somebody you have never meet. How can you ever trust a person that you don't even know is real? I can understand using a social networking site to meet new people but if you meet someone and become friends wouldn't you want to actually hang out together and go to the movies or mall or whatever.
Collyn Rankin MCCNM 101
It seems that as virtual communication becomes more realistic, more people will begin to prefer it to real world interactions. They'll have the benefit of anonymity in a virtual world, thus allowing their imagination to dictate who they want to represent themselves as. I think it'll reshape the way people relate to each other in the long term. Yet as people become more apt to use a virtual world as a social learning tool, they'll begin to forget that the real world has a lot less constructed rules to dictate how you'll behave.
Raziel Scher MCCNM 101 11:00
Over the web you can be a different a person, in person people see who you are and what your about. the relationships built in person are more truthful than ones that are made with someone you dont really know on the internet.
Social relationships should not be enhanced or primarily carried throughout the internet. People need a personal connection and need this socialization to meet their needs. The internet cannot replace this and should not try people need personal relationships. Even though the internet is a good way to stay in contact it is not enough to make a long lasting friendship.
The way teenagers interact now is very easy to criticize. There are many things that people use as an alternative to communicate that is substituted for actually talking in person. For those who have a hard time being social and making friends this could be a positive thing; however there are many negative aspects to this as well. Relationships over technology are not nearly as personal as those made in person. People make more of a real connection through relationships that they make in person and they are easier to show a connection.
I totally agree that the internet is taking over our society and effecting how people communicate with one another. I notice with my generation that most all of us hate to talk on the phone the generation about 7 to 8 years older than us hate to text cause they think it’s easier to make a quick phone call. the age differences is apparent but I looks like studies show that although we don’t like over the phone conversations we still would like real relationship with real people we actually hang out with. So in a way I don’t think it has changed too much just the way that we communicate.
Post a Comment