Absence of gating

• CMC allows relationships to start where they might not in FtF
• McKenna and Bargh argue that facial disfigurement or a stammer may be obstacles to a FtF relationship. However, starting a relationship online means that 'gates' are not there. A relationship can develop and once self-disclosure becomes deeper the gates become less of an issue
• Benefits of absence of gating:

  Without the obstacles of FtF communication people are free to create different online identities and overcome various barriers. For example, a shy person can become more extraverted online and their personality is no longer an obstacle
• Cons of absence of gating:

  Scope for people to create an untrue persona (e.g. a man can become a woman)