Research Essay Example about Online Friends

According to the Merriam Webster dictionary, a friend is a person who helps support someone. As the rise of online friends began in the early 2000s, the topic of the legitimacy of these social ties has become a popular debate. In my opinion, you can make real friends through the internet. During the global lockdown due to the Coronavirus, people have shifted to online communication as a way to still connect with friends and family as well as meet new people regardless of their location in the world. In addition, those who feel more comfortable behind the screen can easily talk to/find others with similar hobbies and interests. Online friends are a great way to keep your mental health in check and to strengthen relationships.

In the enforced periods of quarantine of the COVID-19 pandemic, the majority of the people bonded through online platforms as a way to support one another. “Many wanted to share their pandemic stress with those to whom they felt closest.”(bbc.com / “How lockdowns are changing our friendship groups” / Celina Ribeiro / 2020). Because meeting friends in real life requires much more inconvenience, communication has evolved to be accessible and boundless. With the outlet of the internet, you are enabled to exchange stories, suggestions, information, and emotional support with others in online support groups who are dealing with similar difficulties. “Being socially connected to others can ease stress, anxiety, and depression, boost self-worth, provide comfort and joy, prevent loneliness…”(helpguide.org / “Social Media and Mental Health” / Lawrence Robinson and Melinda Smith, M.A. / 2021). The strength of our bonds has a significant impact on our mental health and happiness. Saying that these bonds over quarantine are superficial, is invalidating the support and social bonding that they received during quarantine. As can be seen, the main baseline of a friendship is understanding and supporting one another, which online, is far more beneficial.

Because distance is not a problem you will encounter online, the world becomes more connected and organized into certain groups. “Social media makes the big world smaller” (“Social Media, Pretend Friends, and the Lie of False Intimacy”/Blog/ Pg. 25). You can still meet and discuss with others regardless of a person’s location. As a result, it is much simpler to be introduced to new people and their hobbies. In addition to that, the “smaller world” aids the first step of beginning a friendship. “You can meet friends on forums dedicated to an interest.”(regain.us / “Are Online As Legitimate As Real-Life Friends? How The Internet Makes A Difference” / Robin Brock / 2020). This quote exemplifies how social media platforms are organized to bring together individuals interested in the same topic. However, if you were outside, the chance of meeting someone who shares the same hobbies as you is much lower, especially since it requires more conversations to get to know them. Furthermore, friendships begin with a genuine bond between similar interests and beliefs, therefore being exposed to many people like you, can easily form these relationships. 

With the lack of restraint one feels behind the screen, individuals feel more comfortable conversing through the internet than offline in person. “You can remain anonymous on the Internet. You do not have to share information about where you live, how old you are, or any personal details about your life.”(“Making Friends Through the Internet”/Sally Arthur/Pg. 27). As a result of this ability, people who struggle to communicate in the real world, such as introverts, shy people, or those who struggle in speech, can comfortably express themselves. In addition, people won’t have the ability to judge your appearance and can truly appreciate you for your personality. “Online, you can be whoever you want to be, or just be yourself. This allows people to practice their social skills in an anonymous setting.”(“Making Friends Through the Internet”/Sally Arthur/Pg. 27). With these benefits of communicating online, people tend to feel more comfortable sharing their secrets or embarrassing stories compared to the real world. These interactions allow people to form their friendships faster, thus, the ability to meet online friends. However, because of the lack of truth, meeting someone through the internet can be very dangerous if you’re not careful enough. Using this advantage to easily create a fake identity, many individuals roam on the internet with harmful intentions. Considering the many safety precautions you can take, it shouldn’t prevent you from making a real friend if you know how to approach the right person.

As the rise of online friends began in the early 2000s, the topic of the legitimacy of these social ties has become a popular debate. In my opinion, you can make real friends through the internet. “Many wanted to share their pandemic stress with those to whom they felt closest.”(bbc.com / “How lockdowns are changing our friendship groups” / Celina Ribeiro / 2020). With the outlet of the internet, you are enabled to exchange stories, suggestions, information, and emotional support with others in online support groups who are dealing with similar difficulties. “You can meet friends on forums dedicated to an interest.”(regain.us / “Are Online As Legitimate As Real-Life Friends? How The Internet Makes A Difference” / Robin Brock / 2020).  Friendships begin with a genuine bond between similar interests and beliefs, therefore being exposed to many people like you, can easily form these relationships. “Online, you can be whoever you want to be, or just be yourself. This allows people to practice their social skills in an anonymous setting.”(“Making Friends Through the Internet”/Sally Arthur/Pg. 27). People who struggle to communicate in the real world, such as introverts, shy people, or those who struggle with speech, can comfortably express themselves. In addition, people won’t have the ability to judge your appearance and can truly appreciate you for your personality. Given these points, it’s possible to meet new friends through the internet.