Switched-On Magazine

Jennifer is checking her MySpace and notices that someone has sent her a friend request. She decides to check out his MySpace page just to peak her curiosity. She notices that he is online so she messages him. They get to talking and discover that they have a lot in common and are almost a perfect match for each other. Problem is she lives in Colorado and it turns out that he lives in South Carolina. They have talked numerous times on the phone and on their webcams, each time getting to know each other even more. They both say how if they lived in the same town they would most likely date, but the reality is that they just do not. Finally, they decide to enter an Internet relationship since it seems like their only option if they want a boyfriend/girlfriend relationship.
A scenario such as this is common especially with the Internet imbedded so much into our lives. The idea of internet dating is not a new one though usually reserved for adults. However, due to the popularity of social networking websites among teens, this trend has begun to surface with them as well. The basic idea of an Internet relationship is very much like the old fashion long distance relationships of the past, but with a modern twist. The people involved in this relationship most times initiate it without actually meeting face to face. Communication involves instant messaging, webcams, and phone conversations. The only difference is a lack of physical contact and the typical date setting. This boundary is often times overcome with occasional visits to the other persons location however, for teens a trip such as this may not come cheap. Most times a more traditional relationship would take place but the distance between the two people eliminates any sort of possibility for that.
This topic has been in the spotlight in recent years from news programs to morning talk shows, and they have all been concerned about one thing: safety. Of course, when it comes to teens and the Internet safety is always a concern especially when entering a relationship of such intimacy. It is often times said that long distance relationships are hard, but does new advances in technology mean that it is now easier. Besides the obvious safety threats when meeting a stranger online with Internet relationships come also the typical troubles of any relationship. Trust is a major issue in relationships and this can be problematic since you cannot really keep an eye on what the other person is doing. In such a relationship, trusting that the other person will stay faithful can be even more of a challenge and the lack of physical contact can just add strain to the relationship. It can be argued that one may be more vulnerable to harm whether mentally or emotionally due to the distance. Internet relationships can be a solution to long distances between two people that really get along online, but it can also carry its own problems.
Technology has advanced over the years and so has the way people communicate with each other to the point of it replacing social practices that have existed for centuries. This topic is controversial especially when involving teens, but maybe love can translate through the Internet if it did not then why would there be hundreds of dating sites for adults. Perhaps the inexperience that adults see in teens with this particular part of growing up is the very thing that causes such controversy. It used to be boy meets girl then they date and fall in love, which is the same concept with Internet relationships just with some modern tweaks. Sure, these types of relationships are not traditional and may even raise some eyebrows, but who said relationships were ever easy?