As we spend more time online, it is not uncommon to find people who have similar interests as us, nor is it uncommon to befriend these strangers. Instagram, Twitter, along with many other social media platforms, gives us the ability to connect with people from across the globe. With this ability, we’re able to talk with other people that we usually wouldn’t see in “real life.” Many question whether or not these online friendships have the same attributes as “in real life” friendships. The types of bonds we make with people are important to have, yet is there a difference when bonds are formed over the internet?
In the Room for Debate article, “Digital Friendships,” debtors pondered whether or not online friendships counted as “real” connections. Those who believed that online friendships were not the same as those that are made offline, stood behind the argument that face to face contact is needed when a friendship is first established. According to debtor and psychologist, Shelley Turkle, “in-person exchange cultivates empathy because you are able to experience the whole person.” Empathy is one of the ways that we, as people, connect as we share our feelings with each other. The experience of interacting with a person in real life, is seen as a vital factor in friendships because you are seeing “everything.” However, for debater Alice Marwick-this is not true at all. Based off of her own personal account, Marwick testifies that “she feels genuine closeness and intimacy with her online companions based on their words, though they are written by people she’s never met.” For many, the detail that in person contact has never occurred, does not have much impact on the relationship between the individuals. The feelings are similar to which any person would get when in a “standard” friendship, the only difference here is that there is a screen between them.
Personally, I see no reason as to why people must label their friends differently. As long as it is a responsible exchange between the individuals, the bond is still the same just the minor inconvenience of having to communicate solely through the internet. Being that we do this with our real life friends already, there is hardly any difference.
I guess the importance of an online friendship depends on how much you value your place in the digital world. Some people can act the same on social media as they do in real life, and others can be totally different. I don't think there's anything wrong with making friends online, but it's necessary to have real life friends too. It's hard to see a person's raw emotions through a screen. Shifting eyes, the slight change of tone, any body language cannot be depicted when conversing online. Most people on social media only show what they want to be, not necessarily who they are. To me, I value friendships that have an exchange of all experiences, both the good and the bad. For now, I can only see this possible with people I've met face to face.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your response Charlize. I agree with you that it is necessary to have friends in real life too. I probably should've made that clear, so I apologize for not doing so.
DeleteI agree with Charlize completely. I too have nothing wrong with online relationships, in fact it may be an easier way to open up to someone you have never met before. Additionally, this also means that people say things that they wouldn't have said in person, which is one of the reasons why cyber bullying is as bad as it is. During quarantine, I have kept in contact with a lot of people and have found interesting that some of them act differently online or over text. This may simply be because I can't see their body language, hear their tone, or detect what each word really means, like Charlize said. There are pros and cons about online relationships, and it depends on the preference of those involved.
ReplyDeleteI appreciate your response Tyra. I completely agree that some people do take advantage of the fact they are online and use it as a tool to bully others. Cyber bullying is often not taken as serious as physical bullying, and because of there have been many tragic instances. Like you said, there are pros and cons to online relationships, and because of this one must be wary of who they choose to have relations with.
DeleteI completely agree with Tyra and Charlize. I don't think there's anything wrong with having online friends. I would prefer seeing them in real life more but it doesn't mean having online friends would have a more negative effect. I have online friends myself and the only way I'm able to interact with them is through social media. Although, there could be cons like bullying or differences in attitude like Tyra and Charlize addressed. There can be many negative cons like catfishing as well due to the fact that we've never seen them in real life. Even if there are cons, there are also pros like being able to opem up to others easier and being more social to others. Based on my preference, I have no problem with having online friends but I do prefer meeting them in real life more.
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