Communicating With Friends Across the World Wide Web

In the past, staying in touch involved long letters or expensive long distance telephone calls. Today, letter writing has transitioned to the Internet in the form of e-mails and blogs, and phone calls (once the most expensive mode of communication) are reduced to text messages and media mail.

There are pros and cons to this phenomenon. Some claim that the use of the Internet to communicate with old and new friends creates an isolated environment that eliminates physical interaction and allows individuals to develop false or misleading personas. Others cite the benefits of this type of communication, especially to the elderly or the house-bound. Using the internet to stay in touch allows family members who live far apart to relay current family events, send pictures and even transmit live images. This can be a big plus for grandparents! Although not always successful (and sometimes potentially dangerous if not carefully monitored), Internet relationships have turned into face to face love stories that occasionally end in wedding bells! In addition, students and teachers are able to develop research relationships even when they are separated by long distances or language.

As with all technology, communicating via the Internet has plenty of bonuses - balanced by just as many negatives. But, when the retiree in a nursing home in California can contact her sister in Des Moines, and dads stationed overseas can see the first pictures of the newest member of the family, then the negatives do not seem so big. Living in a 'cyber-cave' without any physical interaction is not a good thing for anyone, but staying in touch and developing new friendships is a healthy positive experience for young and old alike.