Friends & Companions | Personals : Friends & Dating

More and more people are spending time on the Internet, and many are striking up friendships in chat-rooms. Some feel this is a wonderful way to develop new relationships; others warn it may be risky.

Striking up an online friendship
Looking for friendship online is fast becoming a very socially acceptable thing to do as we adapt to a new fast pace way of living. While there are many great opportunities out there to meet people online, there are a few things to be aware of first. People in general, particularly teenagers, are big on computers. They can spend hours surfing the Net or talking in chat rooms. While many find comfort and excitement in chat rooms, they find it as a way to create what they can't have in real life; others see chat rooms as a huge risk, especially for younger people.

While there are many genuine people out there it is important to be wary of the problems or consequences that have associated with internet chat rooms. Striking up Internet friendships can sometimes be dangerous. While it is perfectly possible to find friends online, you have to keep your guard up until you're sure you really know a person. It is important to realize your boundaries and don't be afraid to say stop if conversation starts to touch on things you wouldn't normally talk about.

If you decide to meet up then make sure it's on terms you both agree on and feel happy with. Try and make it a public place, and go with a friend (or at least have one nearby) just to keep an eye on things.

Making the connection
Today in our society everyone is making connections, whether it is making new ones or re-establishing old ones. Nearly everyone now has a mobile phone and a computer at home with an internet connection. Some even have laptops to take advantage of the many wi-fi spots and now mobile phone companies are even offering wireless broadband, so you need never be without your connection. Websites such as facebook and myspace are growing at alarming rates, just a few clicks and you could have yourself a new mate.

About half of adults worldwide who use the Web have made friends there, according to recently released findings of Norton Online Living Report, which polled about 9,000 Web users worldwide. Some people (about half of those questioned) admitted to enjoying their online friendships as much or more than friendships made offline. However, a year-old British study says that while more people were striking up friendships online, those relationships aren't nearly as "close" as connections made in person. And if you think about it for a minute then how could they be? A virtual friend can't accompany you to a movie, or hand you tissues when you cry.

However, online friendships can have their advantages. They can provide opportunities for those that are shy or feel as though they don't quite fit in to be themselves and open up. They can make friends and engage with other like minded individuals from the comfort of their own home without having to worry about who's looking on or what they're wearing etc. It can also offer comfort to those who find it difficult to leave their home or provide some much needed light relief when we're too busy to go out but just want some company.

Where to look
There are many networking sites out there that have forums or chat rooms for members, these are usually categorised into different subjects which will increase the chance of you meeting someone with the same interests. There are also gaming websites where it is possible to engage with others while playing a game such as scrabble or you could even go for something more unusual like counter-strike. It is even now socially acceptable to place a personal ad for a friend in the same way as placing an ad when you are looking for a relationship.

All around the world
The incredible thing about the internet is how accessible it has made the world. An online friendship could provide an opportunity to make friends in other countries and learn about other cultures and traditions. If things go really well then it could even provide an opportunity for travel! So when you're next surfing the net keep your eyes open for those 'virtual friends' who could offer you something different from your 'real friends' and take advantage of this amazing technology.