Do you believe that online relationships are only virtual and NOT real?

Question

So many tell me that online relationships are not real, but it sure feels real.

Answer 1

It depends on what you meant by "relationship." If you mean are you in love online, then I would doubt it. If you mean that you have found a real friendship online, then I know that to be quite possible, although not the easiest thing to find. It took ten years for me to experience that.

Answer 2

I've had one. Without going into detail, it is questionable if I would do it again in the way that it was done. I was not searching for a partner. But the friendship that did develop is something I do not regret at all. I think it depends if you are able to eventually physically meet, and only if you share commonalities that would even make that worthwhile. There is a huge trust factor involved, especially with exchanging personal information before hand. Some people online use duplicate names or even falsified information, and some are even married and only looking to "play games--"whether head games or other games. I would stress caution. However, I do believe that true and serious love can develop in any circumstance if it is meant to be, including online.

Answer 3

You can have online friends and be pretty close. But they DO NOT make up for real friends. As for boyfriends/girlfriends, no. If you can't see the person or talk to the person and see their real personality, then there's no relationship! For all you know, they could be some creepy old man talking to a twelve year old girl trying an online relationship. Just wrong in my opinion.

Answer 4

Of course they can be real. In fact I think sometimes they become overwhelmingly intense because you get to the real stuff quicker because you don't have to be so protective in the early days. And they don't have so much of the annoying everyday stuff like smelly socks. They also allow a great deal of head stuff, and in the end, our thoughts are all that we are.

However, I advocate honesty with all relationships or they can't last. It's one thing to fantasize honestly, pretending things you both know aren't the case, like using your imagination for gaming or writing or even sex. But it's another to outright lie about things. That will only lead to tears.

I have met some super people on-line, people that I know I am really in tune with. And it has been even better when I've met them offline.

I do have very successful offline relationships too, and I think life would be a bit lacking to not have that. A good balance is the ideal, but the short answer to your question is that yes, they can be very. very real. And it behoves us well to always remember that it *is* a real person who is behind that computer screen.

Answer 5

Hmmm. To be honest, unless I meet the guy in person and have a coffee with him, he's just words on a screen. But then again, knowing that the person at the other side has feelings, I guess online relationships can be real(ish).

Answer 6

an online relationship that doesnt ever turn out physical is not a real relationship, its a real because real ppl on the comp but other than that its not a stable relationship unless u guys have plans on seeing eachother in person in a public area preferable

Answer 7

In some sense it's real because of the people behind the pc. The only thing that's virtual is this space we're using as an instrument to convey our thoughts & feelings.

Answer 8

That depends entirely on how strong a grasp on reality both parties have...

If one of them is living in a fantasy land, then it's rather difficult to have any type of real anything.

Answer 9

They feel real.
To be real, people should meet to get to know each other better.

Answer 10

electric pen-pal?haven't had one yet,interesting thought, could 'feel' real but no touch or smell or true sound?never really sure who the hell your yakking with or the true age? nope not 'real'.