Why do people find it easier to discuss issues over the internet than in person?

Answer 1

Because on the internet no one has to know who you are. Some people might be afraid of being judged if they talked to a friend, or coworker, or family member but on the internet you are random and don't have to worry about being judged.

Answer 2

are you talking about a discussion between strangers or aquaintances? I am going to assume you mean strangers ...

conversations between strangers about "sensitive" or "personal" issues, anonomity might be a key factor. real life friendships take a lot longer to develop and to find someone we "click" with is not always easy. a stranger can be a sounding board without caring about all other aspects of their character or personality. it is also easier to talk to someone who we never have to see again and who will not take the information we discuss and share it with others we know or even use it to build their "profile" of us. basically anything can be revealed without worrying that it will come back to haunt us later. online chatting is also a way to separate out different areas of life ... kind of like a "golfing buddy" or a "jogging partner" where we do one activity with someone but little else.

the second, and I think often overlooked, reason people chat a lot more freely online is that with the vast reache of the internet, it is simply much easier to find a person willing to listen than it is in real life. it's just a matter of numbers. where exactly in real life can you go at any time of day and just find people ready to talk about anything and everything? nowhere that I can think of ... except online.

oh, and maybe last but not necessarily least, a lot of physical cues which be can big psychological barriers to interaction in the real world .... age, race, physical attractiveness, dress, etc. are just not there in cyberspace. we talk with people who we would never approach in real life just because we cannot "see" the reason we would otherwise avoid them.

Answer 3

Honestly, I think it's all about the anonymity. You don't have to worry as much about any possible embarrassment.

Also, I think that so many people spend lots more time in front of a computer and find that it can be much quicker to get an answer on line than through an actual person. Heck, I waited on hold for 15 minutes to schedule a meter reading. But, since I was also in front of my computer, and could multi-task.

I think many people like the instant gratification, albeit not always the best scenario.

Answer 4

It's because they are hiding under the shield of anonymity. In other words, no one can see or hear them, and they feel much freer discussing things they could never discuss face-to-face or in a crowd of strangers. Also, the possibility of meeting anyone in person is pretty slim, so they feel safe in saying their mother-in-law drinks too much, or that they once stole a bag of peanuts from a candy store. Could you say these things even to your best friend, in person? The internet offers a safe haven for confessions, outrageous declarations, and intimate secrets, or even a place to vent without being judged. And even if you are judged, who cares? If things get too sticky, you can always just log off. Great, isn't it??

Answer 5

someone may not speak so well in person. ie they speak to fast or they speak in a way people dont usually understand. on the internet, however, everything is clearly typed. also if someone wants to ask a quick thing and doesnt want to get into a whole confrontation, its easier to just ask the question and sign off. and of course if someone is insecure of their appearence, or nervous of talking to this person, its easier to talk to this person online.

Answer 6

personally i find it easier to open up over the internet than in person because i am an emotional person and i can express my feelings more clear online than if i was to be talking to the person clearly

Answer 7

THey can deal with one question at a time.
THey have time to think about what they want to say.
THey can pick and choose what to respond to and take as much time as they need.
They will not be verbaly slashed personally. nor will there lives be affected (or infected)
And they are ready for that kind of communication at the time.

Answer 8

Because it's easier than talking to someone face to face.

Answer 9

Because you don't really have to deal with any reactions, words on a screen are different than a person in your face...

Answer 10

The anonymity provides a sense of protection.