Relationships and Media

Maintaining Online Relationships

Without face-to-face communication, how are internet users supposed to translate the meanings of messages they receive. There are two types of relationships on the internet, one that is already established and one that is created online. The first type is Exclusive Internet-Based relationships, which are relationships that never meet face-to-face. These relationships are formed and maintained on the internet only. The other type of relationship is Primarily Internet-Based relationships, which means that the relationship was formed face-to-face initially, but is now maintained online (Wright, 2004). Primarily Internet-Based relationships, PIB, are generally established when people are separated by distance, and other means of communication are required than face-to-face. The online conversations are usually about day-to-day life, and “include conveying openness or willingness to communicate with a partner, being positive during interaction, assuring and supporting each other, communicating affection, spending time with important members of a partner’s social network, and avoiding potentially negative topics or unfriendly behaviors” (Wright, 2004). The people in these relationships already know what is required of them when communicating with them online. The people in the relationship have an understanding of what they can and cannot send to them in a message or when chatting. The first relationship type, EIB, has grown exponentially over the years since the internet has become a household item. Obtaining friendships has become easier, and keeps people actively involved other people’s lives. These relationships are found to be extremely satisfying, since people are usually using positive communication when sending them information. Also, forming a bond takes more time to establish, because communicating online generally takes more time than face-to-face conversation. These relationships can be more satisfying, due to the fact that there is not as much as an emotional bond with their internet friends as there is with their friends who they met face-to-face. Also, the people who meet online usually meet in areas that are of interest to both individuals. Therefore, there is a common ground to which they will agree upon. As with both styles of relationships, frequency in mandatory to maintain the relationships. If online chat or messaging becomes less frequent, than the relationship will weaken.

Wright, Kevin B. (2004). Online Relational Maintenance strategies and Perception of Partners Exclusively Internet Based and Primary Based Relationships. Communication Studies, Volume 55, 239-253.

Here is a blog about the difficulties on maintaining online relationships:
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20060825212357AAvmRan

How to maintain relationships online:
http://www.microsoft.com/athome/intouch/keepintouchonline.mspx

posted by Kayla Bratton @ 8:32 PM