Online Communication and Intimate Relationships
The prevalence of online communication changed the nature of intimate relationships through the following ways: First of all is because online communication nowadays involves video sharing and photo sharing; here, two people involved in an intimate relationship may enhance it just by uploading, viewing, and sharing videos and/or photos (Wood et. al. , 2005, p. 84). Explaining further, the intimate relationship is enhanced because “the nonverbal qualities of physical presence and ‘orality’ are no longer questionable” since the videos and/or photos are there in the absence of the aforementioned (Wood et. al. , 2005, p. 84).
This is especially true in cases where the intimate relationship is hampered by distance or if there are certain factors that prevent the couple to be with each other more often (Wood et. al. , 2005, p. 84). Second is through online communication’s “synchronous exchange of intimate messages” between two people (Wood et. al. , 2005, pp. 95 – 96). Through instant messaging, for instance, messages and other files may be sent and received in a speedy manner; unlike in the past wherein one is forced to wait for twenty four hours before a telegram may be received or three days before a letter to be sent over to the recipient (Wood et.al. , 2005, pp. 95 – 96).
Such a long wait may prevent a couple to for instance fix the problems that they are faced with; unlike nowadays that no matter where people are they can talk to each other and save their relationship before it worsens (Wood et. al. , 2005, pp. 95 – 96). Last but not least is the psychological effect that online communication brings. Since it is somehow less expensive and more convenient, it improved intimate relationships. Let’s take for instance, when a couple misses each other and they are not in the same location, there are always, instant messaging, blogs, etcetera which they can resort to.
This makes them feel that they are there for each other all the time even though they are not together geographically. On a final note, indeed online communication changed the nature of intimate relationships for the better through the aforesaid ways: photo/video sharing; synchronous swapping of messages, and the psychological effect it brings when it comes to ‘presence’. Reference Wood, A. F. & Smith, M. J. (2005). Online Communication: Linking Technology, Identity, and Culture. New York: Routledge.
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