Online Long Distance Relationships

Long distance relationship adds a level of difficulty to the couple’s relationship.  Usually in a long-distance relationship, couples are challenged especially through difficult times that can either make or break a relationship. Some examples of challenges couples face when in a distant relationship are: time differences, schedules and lack of seeing each other.  Long distance couples may need the time to call and stay in touch with each other throughout the day which can be difficult. “Online dating dates typically implement the services of access, communication, and matching to not always improve romantic outcomes” (Ellison, N., Heiono, R., & Gibbs, J., 2006).

Although online dating has access, has the ability to communicate and find the perfect match, it may trigger one of the partners to commit, be lazy or even give up when problems need to be sorted out. Face-to-face meetings may actually hurt people’s romantic prospects due to the fact that they may have had certain expectations in mind of the person, but once they officially meet they might turn out to be someone they are not (Ellison, N., Heiono, R., & Gibbs, J., 2006).Also, keeping in mind that online relationships may even cause unpleasant violations to the other person – through the internet and one-on-one when they officially meet (Ellison, N., Heiono, R., & Gibbs, J., 2006). In online dating, the main disadvantage that one may seek is dishonesty.  Perceptions that other are lying may encourage reciprocal deception because users may exaggerate to the extent that they feel others are exaggerating or deceiving (Ellison, N., Heiono, R., & Gibbs, J., 2006). “Additionally, Hancock Thom-Samtelli and Ritchie (2004) note that design features of a medium may affect lying behaviors and that the use of recorded media will discourage lying (Ellison, N., Heiono, R., & Gibbs, J., 2006). Another aspect to online dating is that online romantic relationships are more likely to engage in misrepresentation than those involved in face-to-face relationships (Ellison, N., Heiono, R., & Gibbs, J., 2006).

In contrast, offline relationships may be more convenient for both the partners.  “Offline relationships offer more interdependence, understanding and commitment than online relationships” (Chan, D. K., & Cheng, G. H.,2004). Thus being said, studies show that offline relationships are stronger than online relationships. In offline relationships, you are able to talk to the person face-to-face, communicate, interact and physically be with your partner. “Results suggest that the influence of the structural and normative constraints typically found in face-to-face interaction may be different in the online setting” (Chan, D. K., & Cheng, G. H.,2004). Offline relationships also may have more trust and less dishonesty and lying compared to online relationships.  Usually in an offline relationship, people may get to know each other first and see what they are like and then continue on being around them or dating. Another advantage to offline relationships is that you may have more mutual friends which may make it easier to trust the other partner.  Furthermore, offline relationships may be better because online relationships may take longer to mature (Owen, 2015). That being said, offline relationships may be the better pick because online relationships can create a stress on the couple’s relationship.

Chan, D. K., & Cheng, G. H. (2004). Journal of Social and Personal Relationships. A Comparison of Offline and Online Friendship Qualities at Different Stages of Relationship Development, 21(3). Retrieved February 16, 2016, from http://spr.sagepub.com/content/21/3/305.short

Ellison, N., Heino, R., & Gibbs, J. (2006). Journal of Computer-Mediated Communication. Managing Impressions Online: Self-Presentation Processes in the Online Dating Environment, 11(2). Retrieved February 16, 2016, from http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1083-6101.2006.00020.x/full

Owen, S. (2015). Online Dating Vs. Offline Dating: Are Outcomes Different? | Sam Owen's Relationship Coach Blog. Retrieved February 19, 2016, from http://www.relationshipscoach.co.uk/blog/online-dating-vs-offline-dating-are-outcomes-different/