The 525 Mile Online Friend

Added: 06/16/2007

For many people, the online friend is someone with whom they share jokes, funny emails and that's about it. The internet has made possible much, much more. With chat rooms, instant messaging, places like "MySpace.com" and others, the online friend could become the next Mr. or Mrs. Right. Establishing online friendships can be very rewarding, or very disappointing.

Not unlike those friendships established in person through interests, hobbies, or mutual friends, an online friend is one who can be there to support, listen and chat with about almost anything. These types of friendships are very convenient as there is little commitment on the part of either party outside of time spent in front of a computer. They are also very mutually beneficial. Both parties are able to share things with the online friend that they normally would not share with others in their immediate lives. This provides a “safety net” so to speak for both parties. Being able to vent in a safe environment is a huge plus to the online friend scenario!

As people are spending more time in front of their home or work computers, the availability of the online friend is often more so than relationships already established face to face. It may be that the online friend is five hundred and twenty five miles away and there is more conversation taking place between the two of you than in your own home. That may be because you are the only one in your home worth talking to! However, the online friend will always been accepting if you make a mistake (after all, it’s not them that is being directly affected) forgiving if you’re not online for a while and happy about life! Aren’t these all quality traits we look for in an online friend? The online friend will always agree with everything and make you feel wonderful about yourself no matter what.

The online friend can turn you onto sites and activities that you would have never found on your own. To share these experiences online can broaden your cultural base, your willingness to experience new things and to take them into your own “real” life and share with others that you physically interact with every day.

In addition, online friend bonds can be strong. For people who are shy, these online friendships offer a way to feel “connected” to others while preserving their need to be anonymous. Similar to those spent both online and off line, the online friend can be someone with whom you share photos and profiles. If someone adds you to their “friends” list, then you’re “in!” The online friend can also of course delete you from their friends list and thereby deleting anything you send to them even before it gets to their mailbox!

The online friend is also classified as a secret keeper. If you are planning a party and need some fresh ideas, the online friend can make a great resource! Sharing popular web sites and providing links to online stores and other unique places, your party planning is made easier. Maybe you have a paper that is due soon. You can’t find exactly the research you are looking for, so you contact your online friend. They may know exactly where you can go, or, in some cases, they might even turn you on to a new “online friend” who can help.

There have been many good and bad traits attributed to the online friend; some without cause. Ultimately, all the responsibility for having a good, decent online friend lies with the two parties involved. If there are things happening in any friendship that are disrespectful, inappropriate or otherwise undesired, normally some type of action by one or the other would be taken. The online friendship is no different.

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