Suler's Ch3: In-person versus cyberspace relationships

The combination of Alexis’ and Craig’s story and Suler’s discussion regarding what is better, in person relationships or cyberspace relationships, got me thinking about those people who resort to only having cyberspace relationships. Unlike Alexis and Craig, there are many people who use the internet as an excuse not to develop in person relationships. Due to some sort of social anxiety, brought on from something or another, they prefer to keep their relationships strictly, or more-or-less strictly, web-based. Suler says, “As much as I respect and enjoy cyberspace relationships, I would be very unhappy if I could ONLY relate to my family and closest friends via the Internet, even if sophisticated visual/auditory technology made it seem like actually being there with them. Cyberspace relating is a wonderful supplement to IPR, but in the long run it's not ultimately fulfilling as a substitute, especially when it comes to our most intimate relationships. Most people who develop close friendships and romances in cyberspace eventually want and need to meet their friend or lover in-person. And once they've done that, returning to cyberspace-relating can feel at least a tiny bit flat and incomplete, despite the effects of the online disinhibition effect”. I think Suler makes a great point that cyber-space relationships should enhance real-life and not substitute it.