8 advantages and disadvantages of virtual friendship

List of benefits and disadvantages of virtual friendship, which is based on the use of the Internet.

In today's age, distances have shrunk considerably; it is no longer necessary for people to meet in person in order to establish or maintain a friendship. Since the advent of the Internet, personal relationships have spread across the virtual network.

This relatively new variety of friendship has its pros and cons. In this article we will talk about the advantages and disadvantages of virtual friendshipThis is understood as the link between friends who relate to each other through the Internet.

What does a virtual friendship consist of?

Before reviewing the advantages and disadvantages of virtual friendship or cyber friendship, let's know what it consists of. This type of relationship is characterized by the link that two or more people develop with each other through the web, by means of a computer or other devices that allow them to interact at a distance.

This is possible today in multiple ways, thanks to the significant advances that new technologies have had in relation to connecting people. Social networks are increasingly implementing new resources so that their users can interact with each other from wherever they are.

Taking into account all the aforementioned advances, we can establish that a virtual friendship is the friendship relationship that people maintain solely and exclusively through any digital media.

Advantages of virtual friendships

Like all things, this form of friendship through new technologies has its positive and negative aspects... Now we will see a list of the advantages of virtual friendship, and later we will review the disadvantages it presents.

1. They reduce distances

Virtual friendship is able to bring people closer even if they are territorially far away from each otherThrough the various chat servers that exist and the free video call services it is possible to establish or maintain a friendship relationship while being on different continents.

2. They provide a safe way of saying things

Some people find it more difficult than others to initiate a conversation in person, they are shy individuals and for them the Internet represents a safe medium in which they can express themselves. a safe medium in which they can express themselves with greater confidence and establish a friendly relationship with others.

3. Transcending cultural barriers

Virtual friendships have the characteristic of transcending cultural barriers between countries, taking into account that Internet users are people from all over the world are people from all over the world.

One of the advantages of virtual friendship is that these users can meet each other in a forum or social network and start a lasting friendship through digital channels.

4. They provide a greater sense of equality

Virtual communication provides a sense of equality that is quite pleasant for some people. In terms of virtual friendship, people tend to feel that there are fewer things that separate them and more things that make them similar..

For example, it doesn't matter if they have a particular physical condition, or if they are people who like to party, or stay home and read a book on the weekends. All this is irrelevant in virtual friendship, since it is only necessary to have the willingness to interact with the other through some device, it is not necessary to change the routine or appearance to fit in a group of virtual friends.

Disadvantages of virtual friendship

Now that we have reviewed the main advantages of virtual friendship, let's take a look at the most relevant disadvantages of this type of relationship.

1. It can generate isolation

Virtual friendships can make it easier that people prefer to stay locked in front of their computers as the only form of social interaction.as the only form of social interaction, or spend most of their time using their cell phones.

2. The absence of physical contact

In conventional friendships, physical contact is indispensable; a hug, a handshake, goodbyes with kisses on the cheekThese are things that are an intrinsic part of a friendship and make it grow. When it comes to a purely virtual friendship this aspect is not fulfilled.

3. It can generate addiction

When people spend too much time interacting with their virtual friends, they may become addicted to new technologies, which is a behavioral addiction. This type of addiction can significantly affect several aspects of the life of those who present it; The work, family and personal spheres are the most common to be damaged..

4. It lends itself to scams

The virtual contact with other people is a means that many fraudsters use to capture their victims, that is why you should be very cautious when initiating a friendship with a totally unknown person through the Internet.

Referencias bibliográficas:

• Blieszner, R.; Adams, R. G. (1992). Adult Friendship. Sage. ISBN 978-0-8039-3673-7.
• Crosnoe, R., & Needham, B. (2004) Holism, contextual variability, and the study of friendships in adolescent development. University of Texas at Austin.