Technology is important in this new era. The developments of computer networks are being used to connect people to people (Wellman, 1996). It allows people to interact with each other beyond the geographical boundaries.
Differ from traditional communication, according to Howard Rheingold, virtual communities are the social aggregations that emerge from the internet when enough people carry on public discussions long enough, with sufficient human feeling, to form webs of personal relationships in cyberspace, even though it does not necessarily mean that there is a strong bond among the members. In short, a virtual community is a social network of individuals who interact through specific media, potentially crossing geographical and political boundaries in order to pursue mutual interests or goals (Marc.A.Smith and Peter Kollock,1999).
The Internet allows more people to keep up with the latest news, and to follow events as they are happening around the world. We communicate virtually with one another on internet to seek for information and advice. Most of us rather seek help and advice on the Internet, than to discuss personal problems with a parent. However, the source of information from internet is not credible. This is one of the negative sides to the Internet, that it can cause people to find misleading information and half-truths, which can result in more fear, worry and anxiety.
The advancement of internet has created a platform for communication and social exchanges. We can expand our network by meeting new people all around the world with same interest or hold common belief. Besides that, they also allow us to keep in touch with our current friends especially those who are stay outstation or others country. It's convenient and practicable rather than using phone-calling or mailing. You can also reconnect with old friends that you lost contact with many years ago. We can now communicate with people all around the world virtually for free by using internet via e-mail, chat rooms, webcams and more. There are no boundaries on internet. Internet makes communication much easier. Virtual communities are very user friendly and don't need specialist knowledge.
However, virtual communication is also giving negative impact on interpersonal communication. It influences the ways we communicate, and socialise with one another. Communicating via internet is just too convenient and easier. Those who are addicted to cyber world are not learning human interaction and this cause them to development problems in the short term and behavioural problems in later life. Thus, we can said that, internet decrease social interaction and detract people from face to face communication.
In addition, virtual communication may lead to lie and deception. It provides too much freedom to the user. In traditional communication, we still able to judge a person or a message by notice at his or her nonverbal message such as body movement and eye contact. However, through internet, we cannot see their nonverbal messages. Deceptions are possible in virtual communities, due to the difficulties of confirming information about the participants, the identity on internet is flexible and no boundaries on internet. Therefore, it is important to be aware of the deception. Countermeasures can be developed such as requiring additional authentication and confirmation before taking actions. Users are advised not to believe others while communicating virtually.
As conclusion, virtual communication has really changed the dynamics of social interaction. As anything, there are negatives, as well as positives. We should control and learn to protect ourselves, not too addicted and communicate wisely while using internet.
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References
ü Dawn Hawkins. 2009. ‘How the Internet has had a negative impact on society’. Viewed on 27 November 2010. Available from: < http://www.helium.com/items/1800483-how-the-internet-has-had-a-negative-impact-on-society >.
ü Howard Rheingold. 1999. ‘The electronic version of
The Virtual Community’. Viewed on 27 November 2010. Available from: <http://www.rheingold.com/vc/book/intro.html >.
The Virtual Community’. Viewed on 27 November 2010. Available from: <http://www.rheingold.com/vc/book/intro.html >.
ü Marc.A.Smith and Peter Kollock. 1999. “Communities in cyberspace”. New York, Routledge.
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