Do you think people use the internet as a crutch?

[IGottaDream!]

Do you think people use the internet as a crutch when it comes to relationships because they're afraid of socializing with people, the same could be said in texting. Both of these things lack the physical socialization one needs, for instance getting to know each other in person by going out on dates and so forth. There's also just something about being in the presence of the person you are interested in. There's that connection, you cannot get if your talking online.

With text conversation you just talk, but there's no way to know how the other personal is speaking on kind of a emotional level, and emoticons don't do anything beneficial, though I use a lot, they don't really emot anything your feeling on how you conversing.

I mean, I think I use the internet as a crutch in this regard to avoid talking to people physically. I suffer from agoraphobia, which has gotten way better then what it was about a year ago. I use to never leave the house, and way 275 pounds. Now I go places, but I never talk to anyone afraid to. It doesn't matter the opposite sex, which would be the worsted, or even the same sex just to try an acquire friendship, though on both parts you could acquire friendship. I still suffer social awkwardness and anxiety.

I don't mind the relationships which are more friends over the internet then anything else. I have made. I met a pretty amazing girl from new york, but even if we were to meet. It probably wouldn't work out, just due to how bad my social aptitude is. I think we would remain friends, just probably not much else, which I'm fine with she's cool.

I think I use the internet as a defense of not actually going out and meeting people, which is a shame I generally like people just am afraid to go up an talk. I have other defenses to which would be the though process of like holier then though kind of thoughts, or i'm better then you kind of thoughts. Mainly due to jealousy of the have something I don't have and I will build up some sort of mechanism for defense against such a thought.

I think I need to grow as person on this primarily necessary level before just trying to find a life long mate over the internet and trying to cheat an integral part of just being human.

Do think other people use the internet in such away whether it be a sever case, like mine but I think there are worst instances, or just in a mild way?

[Latin Techie]

Depends, its a good way to make friends and start personal relationships, but there is sitll the personal meeting to do once you get over the initial contact being made and there is no repacement for that.

The Internet is a good tool in that respect. A crutch ? maybe for some !

[fgsearchn]

"Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."
Read the BIBLE. You will learn to love your SELF.
GOD wants to say things to you. He has been waiting for you to talk to HIM. That's why He imprisoned you. Go to HIM. You will never regret.
http://biblehub.com/john/8-32.htm

[marvelouslew]

Think it's more an "escape" than a crutch...although it can also be an excuse not to go out and meet people on one's own. It is astonishing how many people seek "advice" on how to meet folks these days, when churches, community organizations, hobby groups, exercise clubs, book clubs and umpteen other types of activities (most FREE to visitors and guests) are available. Unfortunately, the internet and social media can serve to keep people apart just as it can to bring them together, by making it all too easy to sit at home and let the world "come to you" - just as TV may have done.

[swk]

You're not alone, when I was in college I was too shy to talk to my crush, a friend of mine was her friend, so I asked her for my crush email, I added her to msn and I made a random excuse to start talking to her and we connect really well, we talked a lot, until late at night and shared music and a lot of things, we were on vacation so I wasn't seeing her at college, our only communication was via msn and everything was great! until vacations were about to end, I was so scared that she might not like me, also, another guy (who I think is better looking that me) was into her and he was visiting her and everything! which I don't.
We were still on vacation when she told me she was in the college cafeteria, making her schedule or something, it was hard but I went to college just to meet her in person, I felt really anxious, and I'm not going to lie, it wasn't the way I expected at all, it was weird, the jokes that we had online didn't work that good face to face, it was awkward, but it was awkward only at first, and it was because both of us were anxious and nervous, but we tried despite the discomfort because we knew how well we bond online and it didn't take much time until we felt comfortable with each other, and that's when everything started to work out, way better than online! I'd been with her 6 years now.

I can say for what I read that you overthink things just like me, what worked for me was precisely not to think, when I went to the college cafeteria I was in panic, I felt it in my body, but since I get up from my computer to go to the college the only thing I was thinking was not to think, I tend to imagine the worst scenarios, so the key is not think about this, keep moving, if you know someone that already likes you online, he/she will like you in person, also mind that a relation wheter it is with a boy or a girl is a task of two, you won't be doing all the work, if you meet someone online that you want to meet in person he/she will made an effort to feel comfortable around you too and to be your friend.

The most important thing, I believe, is to try.