This means that people of lower status can easily communicate with those of higher status" (Module 3: Online Personal Relationships). Another category that benefits from the Internet in terms of personal relationships is those who prefer not to interact with others conventionally due to fear or a perception that going out into society is dangerous. In an article entitled Social anxiety, Internet use and personal relationships on the Internet (2004), Nishimura states that, "People who had a high level of trait social anxiety, especially those under twenty years of age, were highly motivated to use the Internet for the formation of personal relationships" (Nishimura, 2004, p.124).

However, despite these positive aspects, many pundits do not always see the Internet as an ideal platform for the development of personal relationships. The study referred to above by Nishimura also states that, "Total evaluation of Internet communication was not as favorable as that for face-to-face communication" (Nishimura, 2004, p.124). Many negative aspects need to be considered in terms of online relationships. Critics of online relationships point to an obvious downside; namely that these are "virtual" relationships and they lack that immediacy and intimacy of interpersonal face-face contact.

One of the central arguments against online relationship is that this form of relationship leads to a reduction of social cues. In other words, cues that are important in normal human relationships, for example physical cues such as body movements, facial expressions and appearance, are missing from the online environment. This results in a reduction of necessary information that is required in a relationship between two people; which in turn prevents 'normal' and sold relationships from developing. However, this view is countered by commentators who are of the opinion that even if individuals in an online relationship have not met face-to-face in the conventional...

(Lea and Spears, 1995)
In conclusion, there are two opposing views about the subject of the Internet and personal relationships. On the one hand, there is the view that the facilities and technologies that the Internet provides increases and expands the possibilities for personal relationships. This is also allied to the view that personal relationships have taken on a new dimension with more sophisticated forms of interaction such as social networks. As Parks, and Floyd (1996) state, the possibility for interpersonal relationship has been expanded by social networks beyond the immediate physical area and opened up new possibilities. (Parks and Floyd, 1996)

On the other hand, there is the view that online interaction can never take the place or quality of real face-to-face interaction in the development of relationships. This view sees online relationships as essential "...shallow, impersonal, and hostile" (Module 3: Online Personal Relationships).

References

Burns E. (2006) Personal Relationships Expand with Use of the Web. Retrieved April 20, 2008, at http://www.clickz.com/showPage.html?page=3580001

Lea, M. And Spears, M. (1995). "Love at first byte? Building personal relationships over computer networks." In Wood, J.T. & Duck, S. (Eds.). Understudied Relationships: Off the Beaten Track. (pp. 197-236). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.

Nishimura Y.(2004) Social anxiety, Internet use and personal relationships on the Internet. The Japanese Society of Social Psychology, 19(2), pp. 124- 134

Module 3: Online Personal Relationships. University of Milwaukee. Retrieved April 20, 2008, at http://www.uwm.edu/Course/com813/anstey3.htm

Parks, M. And Floyd, K. (1996). Making friends in cyberspace. Journal of Communication, 46(1), pp. 80-96.

Internet and Personal Relationships