About Meeting People on the Internet
The rapid growth of the online world has made meeting people on the Internet a matter of course for children, teenagers, adults and seniors. A dating service is not required to meet people online. Chat rooms, online games, community websites, message boards and instant messages make online friendships and even long-term relationships possible.
Other People Are Reading
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History
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In the 1980s, bulletin board systems were a natural outgrowth of personal computers and computer labs on college campuses. A bulletin board system set up between two campuses allowed students to log on, post messages, share ideas and make connections. This cutting edge learning tool rapidly grew into a social tool. Students in different states could connect online via niche BBS systems, assuring that like minds were actually connecting. By the early 1990s, the BBS and newsgroups systems grew with increased functionality, higher-speed connections and the advent of online content providers like America Online and CompuServe (see Resources section below).
Significance
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Online services made accessing information, making connections and chatting with total strangers a safe and provocative way to meet others. Chat room software allowed users to create a login name, join a chat room focused on a desirable topic and join in the chatter. These chat rooms acted like social mixers without the uncertainty of feeling too exposed. Chat room names that popped up frequently could become "familiar" sights and encourage conversation. Gradually, over time, people who developed stronger relationships with the people they met online desired meeting them in person, and a new online relationships began to migrate offline allowing for the possibilities of romance and more.
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Types
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Many different opportunities exist for meeting people on the Internet. Online dating services are one way to make a romantic connection with others. A variety of different services allow people to actively search for what appeals to them, from friendship to romance to sexual liaisons. Chat rooms hosted by websites and Web services are another opportunity to meet people on the Internet. Like minds will be attracted to similar pursuits. Massively multiplayer online role-playing games (MMPORGs) such as World of Warcraft, Dark Age of Camelot and Warhammer Online provide forums for people to meet and get to know each other. Online universities and school situations provide forums and email addresses and may facilitate chats and social time to allow students to get to know other students. Social opportunities exist in abundance on the Internet.
Geography
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Geography plays very little role in meeting people on the Internet. The Internet contributes to global shrinkage allowing teenagers in Brazil to chat, debate and share common interests with teenagers in Germany and the United States. Adults in Argentina can chat the night away with friends in Los Angeles via a chat room. Geography comes into play when people want to transition their Internet friendships and relationships into the offline world. Despite the geographical boundaries, when the desire is strong enough, online friends and sometimes the entire group can choose to meet in the real world.
Benefits
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Articles in "Psychology Today" say that the ability to socially network online no matter a person's geography is a real benefit. People need social outlets and social connections. While online relationships cannot replace flesh and blood relationships, they can provide a measure of mental and emotional support that may be lacking due to social isolation, geographical location or work schedule. Research indicates that endorphin levels rise when people enjoy a pleasant interaction online similar to a pleasant interaction in real life (see Resources section below).
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