Research Findings

Not all couples who meet on the Internet do so through dating services or are looking for romance. For example, some couples meet while downloading MP3s in a music channel. Couples have to work harder to know each other. They have to learn to communicate more effectively and, in the process, build a stronger relationship.

Internet relationships, although differing in the actual meeting, share much in common with other forms of intimate relationships. Regardless of how couples meet, similar processes are involved ­ assessing genuiness, building trust and intimacy, discovering compatibility and expressing emotions. Internet gives men and women more options to finding a partner. For example being a single mother in the Philippines lowers a woman’s status and it is difficult for women to find a partner among local Filipinos because of the stigma.

The Internet is a fast and immediate so many things can be learnt about a person in a short period. Intensity of relationship built up online. The Internet allows people to more openly discuss things that they may feel uncomfortable discussing in person. They feel safe and less vulnerable online. This comfortableness allowed them to talk more freely, especially about their emotions. Consequently, the couples became close very fast and exchanged confidences much earlier than they would have in an offline encounter. Communicating through the Internet helps overcome shyness.

Couples find creative ways through the Internet to express intimacy and a range of emotions ­ love, anger, anger, jealousy. Meeting through the Internet has both positives and negative aspects as do other ways of meeting. Similarity of Internet to other types of relationships and ways of meeting, for example someone you meet in a bar may not be who they profess to be.