It argues online relationships can be more personal and involve self-disclosure than FtF relationships: this is because CMC relationships develop very quickly where self-disclosure occurs earlier
Once virtual relationships are established, they are more intense and intimate.
Boom and bust phenomenon (Cooper and Sportolari)
Phenomenon where CMC relationships end quickly because the high excitement level of interactions is not matched by the level of trust between the relationship partners.
Selective self-presentation (Walther)
In virtual self-disclosure, the sender of the message has more time to manipulate their online image than FtF
People online have more control over what to disclose and the cues they send, therefore making it easier to manipulate self-disclosure to promote intimacy in CMC relationships: individuals self-present in a positive and idealised way
Anonymity
Bargh et al points out that you may well disclose more about yourself because of the strangers of the train effect
Strangers on the train effect
Where people self-disclose as people do not know your identity so you feel less accountable for your behaviour
