A03

• research on virtual relationships may lack temporal validity, early computer interaction lacked visual cues, however with development of snapchat and skype with video there is more rich non verbal communciation
• despite potential drawbacks there are significant benefits to virtual relationships, may allow people to access relationships who would usually be blocked due to gating, reducing loneliness
• excessive dependence on virtual relationships may lead to negative social consequences, may be that face to face communication gets worse because of lack of practice reading nv cues
• may be that not all virtual environments are same, could be on gaming site there is more self disclosure than dating sites as contacting someone on dating site may lead to f2f interaction