Editing Internet relationship (section)

== Disadvantages ==
The Internet provides the opportunity for [[misrepresentation]], particularly in the early stages of a relationship when commitment is low, and self-presentation and enhancement agendas are paramount.<ref name="Tice et al.2">{{cite journal|last2=Butler|first2=J. L.|last3=Muarven|first3=M. B.|last4=Stillwell|first4=A.M.|year=1995|title=When modesty prevails: differential favourability of self-representation to friends and strangers|journal=Journal of Personality and Social Psychology|volume=69|issue=6|pages=1120–38|doi=10.1037/0022-3514.69.6.1120|last1=Tice|first1=D. M.}}</ref> After receiving many complaints about his social networking site [[Ashley Madison]], founder Noel Biderman responded to accusations that his and other similar [[cyber-dating]] sites are at fault for the "rising divorce rates and growth in casual dating". Biderman argued that the idea for Ashleymadison.com came to him when he realized the growing number of people on "mainstream dating sites" were married or in a relationship but posing as singles in order to start an affair.<ref name="Start of online dating2" />

In an empirical study of commitment and misrepresentation on the Internet, Cornwell and Lundgren (2001)<ref name="Cornwell, B. and Lundgren, D. C.(2001).2">{{cite journal|last2=Lundgren|first2=D. C.|year=2001|title=Love on the Internet: involvement and misrepresentation in romantic relationships in cyberspace vs. real-space|journal=Computers in Human Behavior|volume=17|issue=2|pages=197–211|doi=10.1016/s0747-5632(00)00040-6|last1=Cornwell|first1=B.}}</ref> surveyed 80 chat-room users. Half about their 'realspace' relationships, and half about their cyberspace relationships.  They found that 'realspace' relationships were considered to be more serious, with greater feelings of commitment, than the cyber-relationship participants.  Both groups, however, reported similar levels of satisfaction and potential for 'emotional growth' with regard to romantic relationships.  Cornwell and Lundgren<ref name="Cornwell, B. and Lundgren, D. C.(2001).2" /> went on to ask about whether the participants had misrepresented themselves to their partner in a number of areas: their interests (e.g. hobbies, musical tastes); their age; their background; their appearance and 'mis-presentation of yourself in any other way' (p.&nbsp;203). Participants responded using either yes or no to each question, and their score was summed into a misrepresentation measure. The results can be found below:<ref name="Joinson, A.2">Joinson, A. 2003. Understanding the Psychology of Internet Behaviour. Palgrave Macmillan. p.3. {{ISBN|0-333-98468-4}}</ref>

=== Dangers of internet relationships ===
An oft-forgotten aspect of online interactions is the possible danger present. The option for an individual to conceal their identity may be harmless in many cases, but it can also lead to extremely dangerous situations. Hidden identities are often used in cases of [[Cyber-bullying|cyberbullying]] and [[cyberstalking]]. Concealing one's true identity is also a technique that can be used to manipulate the person's new online [[friend]] or [[Sexual partner|lover]] into convincing them that they are someone completely different. This is something most [[online predator]]s do in order to prey on victims. Despite the awareness of dangers, Mishna et al. found children and youth to still partake in online relationships with little care or concern for negative effects.<ref name="Abuse2" /> Brym and Lenton also claim that "although [their] true identities are usually concealed, they sometimes decide to meet and interact in real life".<ref name="canada2" />

Engaging in internet relationships is also risky because the information placed online about an individual does not have to be accurate. An individual can formulate an entirely different persona and pose as this person as long as they desire. This can be hurtful to individuals who are honest about their identities and believe that they are in a positive relationship or friendship with the individual. This concept has been most recently illustrated on the television show, ''[[Catfish: The TV Show]]''.
{| class="wikitable"
!Misrepresentation of...
!Cyberspace relationship
!Realspace relationship
|-
|Interests
|15%
|20%
|-
|Age
|23%
|5%
|-
|Background
|18%
|10%
|-
|Physical Characteristics
|28%
|13%
|-
|Other
|15%
|5%
|}
{{clear}}

=== Internet affairs ===
Internet affairs offer a new perspective on the definition of an [[affair]]. Some people consider internet relationships to be classified as an affair while others claim contact affairs are much more serious. Trent Parker and Karen Wampler conducted a [[qualitative study]] to discover the different perceptions of internet relationships based on gender differences. Through their study they found internet affairs were considered less of an affair than a physical relationship.<ref name="Parker, Trent S. 20032">{{cite journal|last2=Wampler|first2=Karen S.|year=2003|title=How Bad Is It? Perceptions Of The Relationship Impact Of Different Types Of Internet Sexual Activities|journal=Contemporary Family Therapy|volume=25|issue=4|page=415|last1=Parker|first1=Trent S.|doi=10.1023/A:1027360703099|s2cid=141521454}}</ref> Through the results from the same study Parker and Wampler also concluded that women considered sexual internet activities such as [[internet porn]] much more severe than the men did. Internet affairs and physical contact affairs are similar because they both involve another partner. "The primary difference between an internet affair and an affair is that in an affair, the couple meet to engage in the relationship. With internet affairs, on the other hand, the couple rarely meet. This offers a unique advantage to internet affairs."<ref name="Parker, Trent S. 20032" />