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How to Make Friends On the Internet

  • Sulagna Misra

internet friends essay

Some of the greatest friendships have started with a retweet.

The internet is deeply interwoven into our everyday lives. More and more people are using social media to share their work, explore the work of others, and even make meaningful friendships. Here are some dos and don’ts for (safely) making friends online:

  • Do: Choose the platforms and communities that you care about. Don’t: Be everywhere.
  • Do: Be kind and compassionate. Don’t be super honest (like in a mean way).
  • Do: Connect with people you like. Don’t: Connect with everyone — especially the haters.
  • Do: Build on connections that bring out your best. Don’t: Engage with people who bring out your worst.
  • Do: Be open to making plans to hangout online or in-person. Don’t: Think that because this is someone you met online, the friendship isn’t important.

Have you ever made a friend online?

internet friends essay

  • SM Sulagna Misra is a freelance writer who has written for  Vanity Fair, Elle, GQ, Nylon, The Toast, New York Magazine,  and  many more publications . She has worked for companies such as GoFundMe and Netflix, among others. You can follow her on Twitter @sulagnamisra .

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Social Media Friends vs Real-Life Friends: Is There a Difference?

social media friends vs real life friends

I will begin with one simple question – How does someone define the term friendship?

If you ask different types of people you will get different opinions. The term friendship is a close mutual relationship between two or more people marked by feelings of care, respect, concern, or even love.

For those who experienced it, it’s a complex process and has a  huge impact on our mental health and happiness . In every stage of our lives such as childhood, adolescents, and adulthood we strive for that interactive bond making us secure and wanted.

Nowadays there are different forms of friendship including the most popular – social media friends . Real-life friends are the opposite of social media friends yet they have some things in common.

Social media friendships, for example, are built online and rely on communication tools such as social network sites, stable internet connections, and smart technology. The nature of these relationships is virtual and lacks the intimate, personal, and emotional connection of real-life friendship made offline. 

However, some would argue that hanging out with an online friend can be just as meaningful, supportive, and enjoyable as meeting a friend in person.

Furthermore, many would agree that making friends online is much easier than in the real world. There are so many reasons why making social connections and internet friends seems so much easier when we all use platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Snapchat, etc. to communicate.

The most common types of people that find it easier to develop a friendship online are teens and students in primary schools. According to a lot of studies, teenagers claim that after meeting someone once in real life afterward they proceed with communication online before meeting again. With this strategy, they avoid things from getting awkward and intense and speed up the normal process with a superficial bond at first.

However, an important question needs to be asked here.

How do you recognize a true friendship?

Is it the amount of time we spend with some people on the phone or hanging out? We all have that buddy list but how to know which of them are the real ones? To make everything come to its senses, there is an excellent explanation about the differences between these two terms – social media friends or real-life friends.

I will begin with one simple question –What is the definition of friendship?

For those who experienced it, it’s a complex process and has a huge impact on our mental health and happiness . In every stage of our lives such as childhood, adolescence, and adulthood we strive for that interactive bond making us secure and wanted.

Nowadays there are different forms of friendship including the most popular – social media friends, made through social networking sites. 

Real-life friends are the opposite of social media friends yet they have some things in common.

Social media friendships, for example, are built online and rely on communication tools such as social network sites, stable internet connections, and smart technology. The nature of these relationships is virtual and lacks the intimate, personal, and emotional connection of real-life friendship made offline.

The most common types of people who find it easier to develop a friendship online are teens and students in primary schools. According to a lot of studies, teenagers claim that after meeting someone once in real life they proceed with communication online before meeting again. With this strategy, they avoid things from getting awkward and intense and speed up the normal process with a superficial bond at first.

Is it the amount of time we spend with some people on the phone or hanging out? We all have that buddy list but how to know which of them are the real ones? To make everything come to its senses, there is an excellent explanation about the differences between these two terms – social media friends and real-life friends.

Social Media friends

Social media friends are the type of people who don’t really know you as a person but you met them once on the social media platforms or maybe you added them on your Facebook account because they are friends with people you know.

One good example of online relationships is the lurker friends that don’t interact with your social media posts .

An online friend is someone available most of the time because of the advantage of social media platforms and their constant use of them at any time or anywhere. Example of online friends is Facebook friends, Snapchat friends, or TikTok friends.

Finding friends online is much easier than finding friends offline. Online friends are easy to make because you can just go to some website and there always be someone you can chat with.

For some people is likely possible to have an online “best” friend who they never met before in reality but who is always there keeping you company in your boring moments. You can talk to that kind of friend most of the time and share inside jokes such as memes that you can find on the internet .

However, when virtual friendships are made people only receive a fragment of a person, an online version of someone that only reciprocates a conversation in a given moment. Friends in person, on the other hand, allow you to experience a person fully and determine whether or not they are worth your time.

Real-Life friends

Real-life friends are the type of people you hang out with in real life. They keep you company whenever they can if they are not busy doing something else. Nowadays we live a fast life and not everyone has the time to do a lot of things in a day including seeing many people.

In offline friendships, you are face to face with a person and you can talk about different subjects such as the most important thing called private life and the difficulties one person has in some period of their time. You can also make plans like going to your favorite restaurant or on a picnic and maintain a meaningful relationship. 

The difference between social media friends and real-life ones is that online friends know all about your relationship drama because you ask for advice just about that kind of superficial stuff. Friends online are not here to support you and walk with you through the ups and downs of life.

The real-life friend knows you best and they are in the right position to tell you the truth even if it’s hurtful sometimes.

The main reason why we chose social media friends over real-life friends

Do social media friends qualify as real friendships? So far we came to a similar interpretation that online friends are easier to make.

In the digital world, there is a variety of digital platforms where a person can interact with another. The opposite of that is real friends aren’t easy to make especially in this modern world. We come to a point where we as people are afraid of being judged by other people .

Online friends are the perfect ‘friends’ for kids who live in isolated areas, kids with disabilities, or social anxiety. That online environment provides interaction with minimal risk. That’s why we choose to be protected by our computer screens and not go face-to-face.

Another reason we prefer online friendships is that they require significantly less effort, responsibility, and work to be nurtured.

social media friendship

Contrary to the commitment and responsibility required by our closest friends, online friendships are not as demanding and any small inconvenience can be solved under the excuse that the internet connection was interrupted.

The internet provides the opportunity to create a friendship in the blink of an eye but at the same time, there is the security of the block button if things are going in the wrong direction.

Social networks serve as a buffer against inappropriate situations and conflicts that appear between people who interact online.  All this seems so convenient but also it takes away the people skills that they need in real life. 

Face-to-face interactions and resolving conflicts in person are more respectful, plus watching someone’s body language and facial expressions will help you avoid misinterpretations that could lead to bigger conflicts.

The danger of social media friends

Of every good story, there is a bad side, and social connections made online can be a bit dangerous. Making social media friends has its disadvantages.

When a person is talking with someone online, they get more comfortable, and with that loosens you can accidentally reveal information about some personal things that might put you in a dangerous position. In other words, online connections can make you feel vulnerable and possibly say and do things that you wouldn’t normally do.

In virtual friends, there is someone to hack us or stalk us to gain something out. The second dangerous thing is more physical.

If internet communication is getting very frequent we become socially isolated and mentally unavailable not only for making real-life friends but also can affect our daily lifestyle outside the screens. This is one of the many toxic effects of social media .

People with whom you have built meaningful friendships would never put you in dangerous situations.

Having these examples we can conclude that in some certain way having online friends is dangerous and we need to be careful but on the other hand, we have the power to decide with whom we will interact online.

The Pros and Cons of having an online friend

Does not require time and effort.Lack of intimate connection.
Online friends can be found on social media networks, forums, or games.Online friends do not know your true and authentic personality.
Less pressure and anxiety of talking to someone in person.There is always a danger that someone you don’t know personally may take advantage of you.
Online friends can keep you company almost every time.Online friendships can’t provide you with the needed support and boost your confidence. 

Friendship on your terms (The benefits of real friendship)

Face-to-face connections are still very important. Nothing beats having a real friend and knowing that someone is always there for you no matter what. The feeling that you can trust someone is irreplaceable and we all need that social support . There are numerous reasons why real friendships are still important, but we will only mention a few of them just as a reminder:

  • Real-life friendships create much profound bonds between two or more people
  • Friends function as a support system building intimacy and trust
  • It’s better to have a few real friends than hundreds of social media friends who might not be there for you and could disappear
  • Friends keep us active and are able to advise us
  • A real friendship needs to maintain making us feel involved and part of something bigger
  • Time with friends influences our confidence and increases happiness

Some people don’t know the value of a real friend. Maybe they don’t want to have one or just can’t make one. Either way you need to try even if sometimes the whole process seems difficult because, in the end, you will come to a realization that it was worth it.

Conclusion – Are online friends real friends?

Despite the negative side of having social media friends, we need to accept the fact that they have their place in some people’s lives in this modern era. But still, that kind of friendship doesn’t provide people with the social, emotional or physical learning and development they need.

Nowadays parents need to be encouraging their kids from a younger age to be developing and foster friendships in the real world for a better and healthier lifestyle. Many people would say that online friendships are transient and not as deep as real ones, other people would say the reverse, that sometimes you can be more open and honest when communicating with someone directly through social media.

We can make the conclusion that different people have different opinions and because of that there is no simple answer to the main question “Are social media friends as deep and meaningful as long-standing friendships in the real world?” Which, when you think about it, is just another form of communication and it’s your personal decision what is REAL for you.

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Are Online And Real Life Friendships The Same? How The Internet Makes A Difference

The internet has been a part of mainstream culture for well over two decades now, and yet there is still a stigma towards online friends. With today’s technology, you can video chat with your friends with ease, talk to them from wherever you are, and have a digital bond that lasts. However, if your friend lives somewhere that you can’t travel to, you may wonder if that friend is as legitimate as a friend who lives nearby. The answer is yes. In this article, we’ll explain why.

Pros of having an online friend

Nowhere in the definition of the word “friend” does it indicate you must communicate in person. Online friendships are a wonderful part of many people’s lives. You can bond with someone from behind another screen, and sometimes the bond goes deeper than it does for your in-person friends – for several reasons.

Mutual interests

Forums make it easier to meet friends who share a common interest. Be it a political group, a blog dedicated to a certain fandom, a specific hobby, or many other commonalities, having a mutual interest is a great icebreaker. While you don't have to have everything in common with a friend, having shared interests is one way to spark a conversation.

Easier to break the ice

Perhaps the best thing about online communication is how easy it is to strike up a conversation. If you're introverted, shy, or just don't like talking to strangers, it's often hard to make that first move. On the internet, however, it's easier for most to make that first comment or send that first message. You can take time to write out exactly what you want to say. 

You can get to know them faster

Most people online are more comfortable with talking about themselves. They'll talk about their flaws, their mental illnesses, what they fear, and so on. In real life, it's hard to talk about some things without feeling like you're going to be laughed at. Due to the ease of online communication, you can often learn more about someone much faster than you can in real life.

You can make friends around the globe

Making friends with someone from a different part of the world can be a fun experience. You can find out more about their culture, and they can learn from you. Best of all, if you do get a chance to visit where they live, you may have a place to stay and someone to show you around. They might even be able to chip in for a plane ticket. For the traveler, having friends across the globe can be a good thing.

There are multiple ways to communicate

Communication doesn't have to be text-based. You can have video chats through your computer or phone. You two can walk around the town, talking to each other. It isn't a perfect replication of actually being there together, but it can be unique and fun. 

Cons of having an online friend

With that said, online friends have their disadvantages as well.

Hanging out is hard

Even if your online friend lives just a few hours from you, you're probably not going to visit them that often. You two have separate lives and arranging a meeting can be difficult – and costly. 

Miscommunication

Some forms of digital communication – like texting – can be misconstrued because body language and tone of voice are absent. You can use emojis, but they're not always helpful. Taking offense to a benign message is common. It can also be harder to get the hint that someone doesn't want to talk to you. Be patient and remember that miscommunications will happen. 

Harder to make up

If you're going to be friends with someone for a long time, you're probably going to get into disagreements at some point. With in-person friendships, you may get mad at each other for a while but then makeup – especially if the two of you have mutual friends. Sometimes, making up is the best option to keep the friend circle going.

With an online friend, however, it's easy for them to get mad, hit the block button, and then find another online friend, forgetting about you in the process. When you're blocked, it becomes difficult to try to reach them. It's also socially unacceptable to make another account and try talking to them. 

When communicating with an online friend, keep your cool if there is an argument. Don't reach for the block button. Take some time alone and talk again with a cool head. If you do hit the block button, remember you can always unblock.

They disappear

If you grew up online, you may have had an online friend who just disappeared. Maybe their account got hacked or the website you use to talk through is no more. Some people take breaks from social media, or tear down their accounts and rebuild them somewhere else. All it takes is a changed username to make reconnecting with an online friend difficult. It’s smart to get more contact info than just the social media site they're on. 

They may not be what they seem

If you're on a message board, exercise caution when making an online  friendship , especially if you're younger. You shouldn't accept an invitation to hang out with someone until you know for sure they're who they say they are.

Stay true to yourself

When making friends online, you want to stay true to yourself and what you want out of a friendship. You can find friends who reflect your interests and passions. It’s important to connect with people who will respect you and reflect your morals and values. When you’re finding friends – whether online or in real life – it’s okay to be picky. These are people who are here to support you. For them to know you well, you need to be real. 

New friendships are an exciting opportunity to show off your personality. When you make friends online, there are ways to show these individuals who you are through words, phone, or video chat. You don’t have to pretend you like something just to fit in. The whole point of making friends online is to find people whom you relate to who can enrich your life. 

The point of seeking people to chat with on the internet is to feel less alone. When you find friends online, you can tell them about what matters to you. Find friends online who care about your hobbies and can relate to you. Join some social networking sites like Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram to widen your options for connecting with others. There are also groups you can join where people have similar interests to you. Think about what’s important to you, and look at ways to connect with others. There’s a platform to make friends for everyone!

Be safe online

It’s exciting to have online friends, but don’t get carried away, it’s important to be  safe . Be careful not to reveal information about yourself too soon. When meeting new friends online, find ones who are slow to open up and don’t just blurt out all their personal details. Be safe, and take your time revealing who you are. You don’t want to tell anyone where you live or work until you get to know them well. You don’t want people showing up at your door because you told them your address.

If you meet new friends, focus on your personality. See what your friends start revealing to you and build off these facts. In a way, it’s like “friend dating.” You’re testing out who you want to get close to, and which relationships to foster or let go. You’re going online to find people who you can talk to, and be emotionally vulnerable with, but that feeling comes with time. Like any friendship, trust takes time. You want to find new friends online who seem trustworthy. Let them earn that trust. 

What to look for in an online friendship

Friendships take time to develop. You want to look for somebody who genuinely is interested in you, and you are curious about them. Someone who is genuinely interested in being your friend will ask you questions about your interests and your life. 

When making friends with people you can't see in person, pay attention to the words they use; they matter. You want to read what they're telling you and take those statements at face value. The stories and reflections they impart about their real-life friendships will show you what sort of person they are. If they're loyal, it will come across. 

Another thing you can do is talk about yourself and see how they respond. Do they want to know more? Pay attention to the way a friend you're interested in talks to you. By being observant when you're meeting friends, you can learn a lot about them. 

Once you get to know each other and you're regularly conversing, how do you know if your online friend cares about you? You can gauge that by how often you speak to each other, what you talk about, and if they're there for you during rough times. When you find new friends online, it's crucial to have high standards for them. You deserve to be treated with respect and cared for in friendships. 

If you open up to your buddies on the internet during hard times and they're responsive, that's a good sign. That means they care for you. If you feel positive in the friendship, go with that instinct. If something is off, follow your gut there too. When you meet new friends online, they should align with what you want in life and care about you as a human being.

Getting help

While it is often easier to connect with people online compared to in person, it can still be unnerving. While many people online are nice, depending on the forum, there are also “keyboard cowboys” and cyberbullies whose main goal online is to argue and belittle other people. Other people have social anxiety disorder, which makes it extra difficult to strike up a conversation with someone new, sometimes even online.

A professional relationship counselor through Regain can help you navigate your friendships. They can also help with issues like social anxiety disorder or cyberbullying 

If you have a hard time connecting with others, one of the most important steps that you can take is to reach out to a counselor.  Cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) is a popular method of psychotherapy that has been found to help individuals with social anxiety, depression, and many other mental health concerns. CBT helps you learn new ways of behaving, thinking, and responding to social situations, as well as helping to build self-confidence . 

Studies have found that Internet-based CBT (iCBT) is usually just as effective as in-person therapy, which can make it easier for individuals who have social anxiety, as well as for those wanting to practice their online communication skills. Online counseling with Regain lets you find a professional relationship therapist without having to leave the comfort of your home, and they can work around your schedule, not vice versa.  

When you're talking to friends in a new setting, such as a social media platform or chatroom, you may not know what to expect. That's natural, but try to relax and be yourself. If you need help maneuvering through online friendships or working through mental health concerns like social anxiety, an online Regain counselor can help. Reach out today. 

Frequently asked questions (FAQs) about online friends

Do online friends count as real friends? If you're reading this, it's likely that you talk to people online or have talked to someone online at least once. When you meet people on the internet, you might be seeking a sense of support or connection. Maybe, you're about to move to a new area, and you're looking for friends online who are in the location you're moving to. Perhaps, you play games online and have met friends through gaming. If you're wondering, "Are online friends real?" the answer is yes. Online friends absolutely count as real friends. It doesn't matter where you met; it's the social-emotional connection that counts. You may start out with digital communication and move on to hanging out in person, or you may take a while to meet due to distance. Either way, online friendships can be special and unique connections. How to make friends is different for everybody. For some, it comes naturally whereas for others, it's a conscious effort, and both are completely valid.

Why are real friends better than online friends? Again, it's not where you meet that makes friends real. Many people meet their online friends face-to-face and establish connections with them offline. Whether you met someone in high school, at a social event, or online, you can have long-term associations with them that amplify your mental health and quality of life overall. Nothing beats having a true friend that you know will be there for you and that you can trust. Of course, before you consider online friends real friends, you have to make sure that they are who they say they are and establish trust. Online friendships are becoming more and more common, and people meet people online in person every day. Online friendships were once kept on the down-low or shunned and were regarded as separate from in-person friendships, but times are changing, and most people have at least one friend that they met digitally before engaging with one another face to face. There is something special about talking to people face to face and hanging out in person. In fact, it's irreplaceable, and it's important for your mental health to have social support that exists offline. That said, it's necessary to remember that for some, online connections become face-to-face connections. Don't discount someone's friendship if they meet a person online because that person could mean a lot to them.

Is having online friends bad? Having online friends isn't bad as long as you go about it safely. If you're wondering what makes online friends real, it is partially the social-emotional connection you have and partially verifying that they are who they say they are. Before you make online friends real friends, make sure to video chat and talk on the phone. Be sure to always bring someone with you when you meet people that you've only had digital communication with so far in person.

Are online friends healthy? Having online friends is certainly healthy as long as the internet does not become your whole life. Online friendships can be unique in the sense that you are likely to bond over things that you have in common rather than your geographical location. Of course, having friends in real life is extremely important, but sometimes the people that you meet in person initially won't always have the same interests. For example, if you are interested in mental health, you might meet people through mental health groups online. If you're interested in travel, astrology, or another niche, you might also meet people online who are into those things. It is essential to have social support from people who truly understand you, and of course, you can always meet your online friends in real life eventually. Some are more extroverted than others, but even introverts need friends and experience health advantages from social connections.

Why is making friends online bad?

Making friends online is not bad, but it is essential to be safe about it. Often, when people criticize online friendships, the main part of the problem they see is the potential safety issues affiliated with meeting someone online. This is a valid concern, but there are measures to take. Be sure to talk to people you meet online through video chat before you meet up. Meet in a public place and bring someone with you. Online friendships aren't just made by adults, so it is important to be aware of the potential that your teenager might make friends online whether you know about it or not.

Many teens report having one or more online friendships or friends that they initially met online. If you are the parent of a teen who makes friends online, it is understandable and unavoidable that you will be concerned. Your concern is valid. When a teenager wants to find a way to meet an online friend in person, it's hard to stop them. One of the things you can do is support them and accompany them when they meet an online friend for the first time. That way, you can avoid the possibility that they might sneak out or do something equally as unsafe so that they can meet a person from the internet. You can join us at the mall or in a café. Public places are always your best bet, and you don't have to make things awkward. Just be there for the first meeting, and if possible, get to know the person's parents. Likely, the parents of your teenager's friend will want to attend their first in-person meeting as well, so you can talk to them before meeting up, and they can accompany you, your teen, and your teen's friend when they meet in person.

How long do online friendships last?

When you meet a friend online, it may be the start of a friendship that lasts for the rest of your life. As with any friendship, there is the potential to stray apart, but there is also the possibility of a lifelong connection. When you make online friends real-life friends by meeting in person, this can become especially true. Remember that there are real people behind the screen, and that's part of what makes online friends real. This is part of why it is so important to be kind to the people you meet online. You never know who is going through tough times, and the words you say to people both in real life and online matter. Cyberbullying is an extremely serious issue to be wary of when you talk to people online or if you know that your kids are talking to people online. Being on high alert when it comes to this kind of thing is crucial, but it doesn't make all online friendships unhealthy, nor does it make them invalid.

Think about online dating. Some people start dating individuals that they met over the internet and end up getting married. Couples that meet online can get married and stay together for the rest of their lives in some cases. Relationships can go bad whether they begin online or in person, but they can also be exceptional. The same is true for online friendships.

Can you trust online friends? It's important not to trust people online too quickly. You can trust online friends once you meet them in person and confirm that they are who they say they are. Again, it's essential to take someone with you and stay safe when you meet an online friend in person. Video chat can be a place to start when it comes to making virtual connections real. Using video chat, you can see people's facial expressions and hear their voice, making everything feel more authentic. It can take time to develop trust in any friendship, but that's especially true for online friendships due to the possibility that you may come across someone who isn't who they say they are in any capacity from time to time. Trust will build over the course of months or years when you have phone calls, move onto video chat, and meet up in person. Once you've met someone in person in a safe manner, your bond can become even stronger. Meeting online friends in person for the first time is a joyful moment for a ton of people, and as long as you take every safety precaution possible, making virtual connections can be the start of a long, healthy friendship.

Who are real friends? Notice how easy for you to say "I love my family. I love my friends ." Real friends are like your family that you can count on. They make you feel good. Social connections are positive for your mental health, and being around someone who is a real friend will generally be uplifting. A true friend should give you a sense of support. When we talk about a support system, we often think of friends, family, and possibly, a mental health professional or multiple mental health providers. A real friend is therefore you through tough times and pleasant times alike and enhances your life.

What do online friends do online friends talk via web chat, phone calls, video chat, and more. sometimes, online friends will play games together remotely. they may chat or meet on web forums. when you meet a friend online, the eventual goal is often to establish a connection in person. you may text each other throughout the day or talk on social media, and if you live near the same area, you might meet up..

What is the difference between a real friendship and an online friendship?

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Online Friends vs. Real Life Friends: Similarities, Differences, & What Makes Them Great

Your online friends are real friends, but there are a few ways social media friendship is different than regular life.

Kate is an experienced writer who has written hundreds of articles for publication.

Learn about our Editorial Policy .

If you're like many of us, you've made some very significant online relationships over the years. Are online friends real friends, or are they something more superficial? It completely depends on the depth of the connection and how you define a friendship.

When Is Friendship Real Online or Offline?

Back in elementary school, you probably had a simple definition of friendship: someone who was fun to play with and nice to you. As you get older, the definition gets a little more complex.

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Online or offline, a friendship involves choosing to meet each other's emotional needs. The American Psychological Association (APA) adds that friends often have common interests and a long-lasting relationship.

For this length and depth of connection, you need to share yourselves with each other and be open and honest. This can happen whether you're sitting face-to-face in your favorite coffee shop or dropping each other DMs on Instagram. Online friendships and real-life friendships have tons of things in common.

Real Friendships Focus on Similar Interests

It's easier to make friends with people who like the same things you do (just like it was back on the playground). Your common interest, whether it's photography, music, pets, kids, or anything else, gives you a starting point for conversations. This is true in person and online, but it can actually be easier to find people with common interests online.

Friendships Happen by Choosing to Be Together

Real friends choose to spend time together, whether that's time playing frisbee golf at the park or time chatting online. Friendship is voluntary. You're together because you want to be.

What about a work friendship where you're together for a job (remote or in person)? In this case, the choice is sharing yourselves with each other and spending time together when you're not actively involved in a work task.

Online or Offline, Real Friendships Involve Vulnerability

Just as in any relationship, friendship involves emotional risk. You're choosing to be close to someone, which means you might get hurt. This openness and vulnerability is important to deepening your bond, whether that happens on your phone or at your favorite restaurant. In some ways, it may actually be easier to share deeper parts of yourself online, but it can also feel less risky emotionally because of the distance.

Friendship Involves Emotional Support

When you're friends with someone, you can count on them to have your back when things get hard. If you're sad, stressed, going through a break-up, or dealing with a loss, the people you turn to are your friends. That's because they offer emotional support. It's just part of being good friends .

This is true of social media friends, as well as in-person friends. If you turn to one another in times of need, that's a sign of a real friendship.

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Online Friends vs. Real Life Friends: How They Differ

Even though online friends can be real friends, there are some important differences between friendships where you interact through a screen and those that happen in your real life.

Online Friendships Require More Commonalities

In real life, you can share one interest (say mountain biking) and use that as a starting point for your relationship. After you do some biking, you can grab coffee and chat. The more you do that, the more shared experiences you have together to grow your friendship.

When you're friends online, it's harder to build new shared experiences together. Instead, you may need to start with several important commonalities.

  • 35 Interesting Things to Talk About With Friends

It May Be Easier to Open Up With Online Friends

Because of the distance that comes with communicating through a screen, many people find it easy to open up emotionally online. That can lead to deep friendships because you're being vulnerable. At the same time, having the distance between you can also reduce some of the vulnerability and create a lack of intimacy.

Social Media Friends Can Conceal Flaws

In a real-world friendship, we can't always hide those annoying habits or dorky things we might do. On social media, on the other hand, friends can share the best details of their lives without revealing the things they'd rather not have seen. This is one of the potential disadvantages of online friends, and it means that you may not always have an accurate view of what your friends are like.

This can be too in real life as well, though, so it's best to simply use your instincts to determine how well you know your friends.

Are Online Friends Real Friends or Something Else?

Every friendship is different, but if your online friendships feel like real friendships, they probably are. Your friends on Instagram, Reddit, Twitter, or wherever you interact online can be just as significant as real life friends, and no matter how you know them, your emotional connection to your friends can be very real.

The value of online friendships and how they compare to 'real' friends

Topic: Friendship

Two women texting on their mobile phones

Are these two better friends than the people they're messaging on their phone? ( Unsplash: Kevin Grieve )

There's a woman in Spain I've never met who has a lot of dirt on me — perhaps more than some of my "real" friends.

We met via Instagram two years ago after bonding over a hashtag and have been chatting ever since.

While I couldn't have predicted my inappropriate and mostly unfunny use of emojis would bring me close to a perfect stranger thousands of kilometres away, it's not an unusual relationship in 2019.

Most of us have online connections of some kind, and increasingly many that are exclusively virtual.

Are we placing too much value and trust in people we've never seen in the flesh? Or is a good mate online as valuable as those IRL?

Content — a new ABC vertical video series — explores this with its lead character Lucy Goosey, who experiences some of the tensions between online and offline friendships while chasing influencer fame.

I spoke to a couple of experts and someone in the same boat as me to get their take.

Why we love our online mates

Oversharing with my Instagram friend instead of friends IRL wasn't planned — it just kind of happened.

Lucy Good from the Sunshine Coast credits that to the availability of online mates.

The 44-year-old runs a Facebook page designed to support single mums, with 16,000 followers. To help run the page she recruited 14 women to help with the page admin.

Despite having never met them, Lucy's grown quite close to the group she calls her "admin sisters".

"We all want to support single mums which makes us quite similar," she says.

"And whereas we don't allow venting or man bashing in the group, when it comes to our little group, we're the first people we go to with our problems."

She says her internet friends are nearly always reachable.

"You have them there at your fingertips all the time," she says. "But it's also OK to leave the conversation and pick it up again when you're ready."

Lucy Good has made many close friends online since starting her Facebook support group

Lucy Good has made many close friends online since starting her Facebook support group. ( Supplied: Lucy Good )

She describes the friendships as "very special" and lower maintenance than friends you need to physically see — it's all part of the appeal.

"You can just send a message out, if they are there, great. If not, it's fine. It's easier to maintain," she says.

"The only thing we miss is the contact, the intimacy of touch and cuddles, but we can make up for that by sending love heart emojis!"

Psychologist Leanne Hall says an element of anonymity online can make it easier to share parts of yourself you might otherwise find difficult.

"It means people can often open up a bit more," she says.

And there are many more connection options to find when using the internet.

Lucy says making friends online has taught her how to "connect differently and with different people".

"You are connecting to people you would perhaps not usually meet in real life … and that can be quite life-changing."

What's missing with online friendships?

Love heart emojis might make up for a lack of affection in Lucy's book, but what about all that other stuff physical connection brings?

Ms Hall says "in real life" you know a friend on a more emotional and connected level.

"You have the benefit of seeing body language and facial expression. A lot of how we communicate is non-verbal," she says.

Julie Fitness, professor of psychology at Macquarie University, agrees those lacking cues can make the friendship less rich. She adds you're relying on the person to "curate" an accurate representation of themselves.

"There are a lot of cues you can't share [online] like tone of voice, observing you interacting with your parents and other friends," Professor Fitness says.

"If it's exclusively online … you are curating the information you are communicating.

"You have an opportunity to put out your best self or only communicate things you are comfortable with."

How to make your online relationships meaningful

phone on a desk next to a tablet showing unread messages in the Facebook Messenger app

Just like real-life friendships, you have to put in some effort to really make online connections valuable. ( Unsplash: Daniel Korpai )

Be vulnerable, but careful

To help avoid only showing your best self, which can lead to a "shallow" connection, Ms Hall recommends being as open and honest as possible.

Don't just show the "highlight reel", she says.

"If you want a deeper connection online, it has to be a vulnerable connection, you need to be honest and embrace the fact that life is not perfect, and encourage the other person to do the same thing," Ms Hall says.

But make sure you trust who you're engaging before you get deep and meaningful.

"It might make sense to be more revealing and vulnerable [to build those online friendships], but you have to be so careful about who you're doing that with," Professor Fitness says.

"You can experiment with making yourself a bit vulnerable, and if there is disclosure in return and warmth and empathy, then the friendship may develop.

"Trust is a huge factor in online relationships because people can be deceived online ."

Choose people you share a common interest with

Finding friends online through an interest group will help set you up for success, explains Professor Fitness.

"You're more likely to meet someone as it's about sharing values and fun.

"This is why those online support groups can be really supportive [for example] because you know that people are understanding of your situation and they're warm and sympathetic to you."

And make sure they're as into the friendship as you are — there needs to be mutual interest and effort.

"A friendship you put as a seven out of 10 on your scale of closeness might be a nine out of 10 in the eyes of the person you are communicating with," Professor Fitness says.

Assess your needs and capacity to invest

Lucy says a real trap is biting off more than you can chew and consequently feeling drained or letting people down.

"There are many people who are isolated and wanting to connect, and if they see you are happy to be their friend they will jump at the chance," she says.

"Don't give them hope if you can't give them the time they deserve."

Professor Fitness says being on the same page about expectations and setting boundaries can help with this.

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Face-to-face connections still important

Ms Hall believes you can live without online friends, but you shouldn't live without those you can spend physical time with.

"The benefit of online comes in when they are in addition to real-life friendships, not instead of," Ms Hall says.

But research shows for people who are isolated , such as those living in regional areas or some older Australians, online connections can be a lifeline.

"The internet is really useful for keeping in touch with family and grandchildren," Professor Fitness says.

To be "really functional" though, you need both.

"You need the face-to-face friends, as well as the wider social networks," Professor Fitness says.

"When looking for a partner, for example, that's a really optimal time to have a rich and broad social network."

Lucy says it's important to support your online friends in the same way would any friend.

"Laugh and cry with them — you can still do that online. In that respect it's the same as a normal friendship."

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internet friends essay

Essay on Internet

essay on internet

Here we have shared the Essay on Internet in detail so you can use it in your exam or assignment of 150, 250, 400, 500, or 1000 words.

You can use this Essay on Internet for any assignment or project whether you are in school (class 10th or 12th), college, or preparing for answer writing in competitive exams. 

Topics covered in this article.

Essay on Internet in 150 words

Essay on internet in 250-400 words, essay on internet in 500-1000 words.

The Internet has revolutionized communication, information access, and business operations. It connects people globally, enabling faster and more convenient communication through email, instant messaging, and social media. It democratizes information, providing vast knowledge and resources at our fingertips. The Internet has also transformed businesses, allowing them to reach a global customer base through e-commerce. However, challenges like online privacy and the digital divide remain. Privacy concerns require protection measures, and efforts are needed to bridge the gap in Internet access based on geography and socioeconomic factors. Despite these challenges, the Internet continues to shape our lives, offering immense potential for positive change and advancement. It is a powerful tool that connects people, empowers individuals with knowledge, and provides opportunities for businesses to thrive in the digital era.

The Internet has become an indispensable part of our lives, transforming the way we communicate, access information, and conduct business. It is a vast network of interconnected computers and servers that enables the sharing and exchange of data worldwide.

One of the most significant impacts of the Internet is its ability to revolutionize communication. With the advent of email, instant messaging, and social media platforms, communication has become faster, more convenient, and more accessible. People can connect with each other instantly, regardless of geographical distances. Social media platforms have also provided new avenues for individuals to express themselves, share ideas, and build virtual communities.

Moreover, the Internet has democratized access to information. With a few clicks, anyone can access a wealth of knowledge on almost any topic. Online libraries, databases, and search engines have made information easily accessible, empowering individuals to learn, research, and stay informed. This unprecedented access to information has transformed education, enabling online learning platforms and resources to reach learners across the globe.

In addition to communication and information access, the Internet has revolutionized business operations. E-commerce has witnessed significant growth, allowing businesses to reach a global customer base and conduct transactions online. Online platforms have opened up new opportunities for entrepreneurship and innovation, enabling small businesses to thrive and compete on a global scale.

However, the Internet also poses challenges. Online privacy and security have become major concerns, with the risk of data breaches, identity theft, and cybercrime. Safeguarding personal information and practicing responsible online behavior is essential to protect oneself in the digital realm.

Furthermore, the digital divide remains a significant issue. While the Internet has connected billions of people worldwide, there are still disparities in access based on geography, income, and socioeconomic factors. Bridging this divide is crucial to ensure equal opportunities for all.

In conclusion, the Internet has revolutionized communication, information access, and business operations. It has connected people globally, democratized knowledge, and opened up new opportunities. However, challenges like online privacy and the digital divide need to be addressed. The Internet is a powerful tool that has transformed our lives and society, and its continued advancement requires responsible use and efforts to ensure inclusivity and security in the digital age.

Title: The Internet – Connecting the World in the Digital Age

Introduction :

The Internet has emerged as one of the most transformative technologies in human history. It has revolutionized communication, transformed information access, and reshaped the way we conduct business. This essay explores the origins and evolution of the Internet, its impact on communication and information access, the role of the Internet in business and entrepreneurship, as well as its social and cultural implications.

Origins and Evolution of the Internet

The Internet’s origins can be traced back to the 1960s when it was developed as a research project by the United States Department of Defense. Initially known as ARPANET, it was designed to create a decentralized network that could withstand a nuclear attack. Over time, the Internet expanded beyond its military origins, becoming a global network of interconnected computers and servers.

Communication Revolution

The Internet has transformed communication, making it faster, more convenient, and more accessible than ever before. Email, instant messaging, and social media platforms have revolutionized the way people connect and interact. Distance is no longer a barrier, and individuals can communicate in real time across continents. Social media platforms, such as Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, have provided new avenues for self-expression, networking, and building virtual communities.

Information Access and Knowledge Sharing

The Internet has democratized access to information, fundamentally changing the way we seek and share knowledge. Online libraries, databases, and search engines have made a vast amount of information easily accessible to anyone with an Internet connection. Websites, blogs, and online forums serve as platforms for individuals to share their expertise, experiences, and opinions. Online educational platforms have also emerged, offering courses and resources that reach learners across the globe, revolutionizing education and lifelong learning.

The Internet and Business

The Internet has transformed the business landscape, offering new opportunities and challenges. E-commerce has witnessed tremendous growth, allowing businesses to reach a global customer base and conduct transactions online. Online marketplaces, such as Amazon and eBay, have revolutionized retail, providing convenience and variety to consumers. Moreover, the Internet has enabled small businesses and entrepreneurs to compete on a global scale, as they can establish an online presence and reach customers without the need for physical storefronts.

Entrepreneurship and Innovation

The Internet has fueled entrepreneurship and innovation, empowering individuals to turn their ideas into viable businesses. Online platforms and marketplaces have facilitated the launch of startups, creating a fertile ground for innovation and creativity. Crowdfunding platforms have democratized access to funding, allowing entrepreneurs to secure capital from a global community of investors. The Internet has also facilitated collaboration and knowledge sharing among entrepreneurs, enabling them to learn from each other and form strategic partnerships.

Social and Cultural Implications

The Internet has had profound social and cultural implications. It has connected people from diverse backgrounds and cultures, fostering a global exchange of ideas and perspectives. Social media has become a powerful tool for social and political movements, enabling grassroots activism and mobilization. However, the Internet has also given rise to challenges such as cyberbullying, misinformation, and the erosion of privacy. Society is grappling with issues related to digital citizenship, online ethics, and the balance between freedom of expression and responsible behavior.

Conclusion :

The Internet has revolutionized communication, transformed information access, and reshaped the business landscape. It has connected people globally, facilitated knowledge sharing, and fostered entrepreneurship and innovation. However, challenges related to privacy, cybersecurity, and the digital divide remain. As the Internet continues to evolve, it is crucial to strike a balance between the opportunities it presents and the responsibilities it entails. The Internet has become an integral part of our lives, and navigating its impact requires thoughtful engagement, ethical practices, and continuous adaptation to the ever-changing digital landscape.

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Words With Friends

How a bond that began on livejournal sparked one woman to change careers and start a new life as a writer..

Now that we live in the future, everyone has friendships that began on the web. In “ Internet Friends,” writers tell stories of friendships created, maintained, and (sometimes) ended online. To pitch your own Internet Friendship, email [email protected].

It’s not just that Amy and I would never have become friends without the internet; Amy and I would never have even met without the internet. I was a black lawyer from Oakland, California; she was a white writer from St. Louis who had recently moved to Los Angeles. She lived in a world of writers and artists and musicians and other creative people, and I lived in a world of lawyers and consultants and the occasional teacher or therapist. She went to shows of musicians I’d never heard of and had many tattoos; I got excited over the behind-the-scenes tour of the Supreme Court I got from a friend who clerked there. She loves cats; I … do not.

But as soon as the two of us virtually met—on LiveJournal, well over 10 years ago—we clicked. I first stumbled across her page via the LiveJournal of a mutual friend, and I was immediately drawn to her writing. I often saw her making comments about books I’d read, and TV shows I’d watched, and thought “Yes! That’s a much smarter way of saying exactly what I think!” I loved that her feelings about culture were just as strong as mine. After I’d followed her posts and comments for a while, one day, well over 10 years ago, I clicked “add friend” and she accepted. From then on, we migrated from one platform to another, and we eventually moved from just internet friends to texting and instant messenger friends.

We’d been internet friends for a few years before we met in real life. I went to L.A. for a conference and took an afternoon away to meet Amy. We got along in person immediately; it was a relief to find out that the Amy from my IM window was the same Amy over margaritas. She took me to one of her favorite taco stands, where I had potato tacos for the first time and fell in love with them, and to her favorite bookstore, where we each bought far too many books. It makes me laugh now to remember that this was our first outing together (“How on-brand can we be?” I texted her when we recalled this), because since then we’ve eaten so many tacos and gone to so many bookstores together.

As we got closer, the daily window I had into Amy’s world made me realize something that was missing in mine. In April 2011, I went to L.A. for work on a Thursday, and decided to stay over that weekend and hang out with Amy. As we drove around that Friday in search of either dim sum or tacos, I took a deep breath and asked Amy when she started writing. And then asked if she thought maybe someone like me could try to do something like that.

I can’t begin to say how nervous I was to bring this up to her. I’d been thinking for a few months that I was missing a creative outlet in my life and wondering if maybe writing could be something I would like or could be good at, but I was so scared to try. I’d wanted to be a lawyer for as long as I could remember. I didn’t know the first thing about writing fiction, but what made it scarier was that I felt like writing fiction wasn’t something anyone would expect out of me. I didn’t dare to talk about this with anyone: I thought my friends would just nod and smile and roll their eyes in the same way you do when a kid says they wanted to be an astronaut.

Why did I trust someone who—by many typical metrics was someone I barely knew—with something so personal, something I felt so tender about?

It was partly because she was already a writer. But a lot of it was because of the nature of online friendship. Most of my other friends were people I knew through school or work, people who I thought put me in very specific boxes: lawyer, political junkie, loudmouth. I felt more able to open up to Amy because I knew she didn’t have an image of me from five, 10, or 20 years ago that this dream of writing a book would conflict with. Also, vicious commenters and trolls aside, the internet is a place where people bond with strangers around the world over shared loves and hates, and where we celebrate the joys and mourn the sorrows of people we’ve never met. We can be vulnerable and tender there in turn. It was just easier for me to show an internet person, even if I was now sitting across from her, a different side of myself.

Since the day I shared with Amy my out-of-character dream, I’ve written three and a half books, gotten well over 100 rejections, found an agent, and gotten two book deals. I was right to have that first terrified conversation about writing with Amy. She was enthusiastic and encouraging, and she’s remained that way for almost seven years as I’ve been on this writing journey. She’s been the first reader of almost everything I’ve ever written (including this essay). She’s known exactly what the right thing has been to say to keep me going, at every point, from the “Yes! You can do this! Keep writing!” when she read the first terrible, unedited 50 pages of my first book to the 300-plus comments on my most recent manuscript.

I had no idea what our friendship would become on that day I clicked “add friend.” She’s the first person I tell so much of my writing news, the good and the bad. We vent to each other about publishing, the rest of the internet, and the patriarchy (especially in 2017). At least three times a week, one of us will text the other something we want to tweet about but know we can’t, and then we laugh about how grateful we are to have each other to complain to (“If I can just be petty FOR A MINUTE,” many of our texts begin). We’ve learned from each other in both big and small ways.

Now, I think more of our similarities than our differences. We’re both single women balancing a writing career with a full time nonwriting job; we’re both very close to our moms; we both care deeply about books and representation and feminism; we’re both extroverts in a world that acts as if all writers are introverts; we both think about our hair and our lipstick many times a day. We celebrate and brag about each other’s successes, whether in pep talks or Facebook posts and tweets meant to boost one another.

A few months ago, I mentioned to Amy how momentous that first conversation about writing had been for me. She’d had no idea. In her world, this was a fun, normal thing to talk about; but to me, it felt seismic. In the acknowledgements for my first book, out this month , I thank Amy for changing my life, and that’s not hyperbole. That Amy was so enthusiastic about my ambition, that she believed in my ability, all made a difference. But that Amy took me, and my ideas, and my dream seriously, from the first conversation was what gave me the drive to keep going. Thanks for accepting my friend request, Amy. You’re stuck with me now.

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  • Pros and Cons of Online Friendships

Pros and Cons of Online Friendships

Pro. You can be friends with people from different countries. The Internet has no boundaries, it allows you to meet people from across the globe and learn about their culture. Of course, there's a language barrier, but nowadays many people speak English, so it will hardly be an issue.

Con. You won't meet most of them IRL. Maybe some of your online friends live close enough and you will arrange meetings with them, but you surely won't be able to meet all of your online friends. You will never be able to hang out together, laugh at stupid jokes or hug them.

Pro. It's easier to strike up a conversation. If you're a shy person, it's probably easier for you to approach people in the online world. You can learn some background information from their user profile, take your time before answering them and end a conversation when you're feeling uncomfortable.

Con. There is no body language and intonation. Communication without body language and intonation can lead to misunderstandings. Sadly, emoticons don't always help. You need to be careful about what you're saying to prevent miscommunication.

Pro. It's easier to open up. Many people find it easier to share things with their online friends because they feel more comfortable typing the words than saying them. Besides, online friends often are less judgmental, because they are used to meeting people of different ages, sexes, and races.

Con. You can be taken advantage of. Are you really sure that they are who they seem to be? Maybe you've really found yourself a great friend, and maybe you're just being catfished. It is dangerous to provide your online friends with too much personal information too soon into your relationship.

Pro. It saves time. You don't have to go anywhere in order to meet your online friends. The only thing you need is your computer/tablet/smartphone and Internet connection. You don't have to think what to wear and you can stay at home if you don't feel like going out.

Con. You can lose yourself in the online world. Online friendships can get addicting. You might end up abandoning your real-life friends in favor of your online acquaintances. It is very important to find a balance between online and IRL friendships.

The bottom line is, online friendships are great as long as you're being careful and don't lose yourself in the computer. Online friends can be a good addition to your social circle, but they shouldn't be a replacement for your real-life friends.

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Posted on Sep 27, 2018

What is a Friend? The Real Life Versus Online Friends Debate

The word 'friend' is often misused and diluted. For many, online friends can never be as important as real life friends. But can this position be defended? Society has always applied degrees of friendship. This is reflected in our language. We talk about 'best friends', 'work friends', 'penpals', 'acquaintances' and other such tags, as if they are distinctions in a hierarchy. The tag of 'girlfriend' or 'boyfriend' outranks them all, as this individual is potentially a life partner.

These nuances of difference have always caused tension, but the rise of the internet has driven the debate into a new frenzy. For young people especially, cyberspace has become the place to make friends and find love. Our online interactions, with people across the world, are often more numerous and more suited to our own interests than their real life counterparts. Yet a sense of awkwardness pervades.If you want to find more info here http://1custompapers.com/ about interactions between students all over the world and new opportunities for them.

How Peer Pressure Demotes Online Friendships. It was my birthday recently. My private messages and profile areas on several forums were swamped with well-wishers. I received dozens of e-mails, Tweets and other social networking nods. One friend had spent an hour in Paint creating a birthday card for me. Another wrote a long online journal entry describing over four years of our online friendship. They were only two of the people, who made me feel special that day.

Yet my mother grimaced. She was only looking at the physical cards on the windowsill and there weren't that many. It worried her. Birthdays constitute an unofficial census of friends. Those still classing themselves as such will send greetings. Counting them provides the number of your true friendships. By my reckoning, I was well loved and reasonably popular amongst a wide cross-section of the international community. By her reckoning, I barely had any friends.

This serves as a perfect illustration of how online friendships can be dismissed. Yet amongst their number were the people who invited me into their homes, when I toured their country; the gentleman who secured a job for me, after I was made redundant; the half a dozen people who comforted me, in the early hours of the morning, when a bereavement had upset me; the person who had once sent me money, via an electronic bank, to pay an urgent bill (she got it back); the lady who spends hours proof-reading everything that I write; and the person (a practicing lawyer) who had looked over a book contract, free of charge, because of our friendship in an online game. Yet I wasn't to consider them friends?

What is a Friend? The Oxford English Dictionary informs us that a friend is a noun. It is 'a person (other than a relative or lover) with whom one is on terms of mutual affection; a supporter of a cause; a person on the same side in a conflict.'

Online friendships do fit the dictionary definition. Terms of mutual affection can and do exist between people known only to each other on the internet. New friendships are frequently formed between individuals supporting the same cause and joining a forum or chat group to discuss it. Unfortunately, as anyone posting side by side in a flame war may testify, internet friends can also be on the same side in a conflict.

The usual point, levelled against online friendships, is that nothing can replace physical presence. Body language accounts for much of human communication, as does shared experience. But the definition of friendship does not include immediate proximity. If it did, then any friend moving away from your hometown should be automatically struck off the Christmas card list. Also life experience occurs as long as we are alive. It doesn't stop as long as we log on and where individuals meet to interact online, that experience is shared.

What isn't a True Friendship? The definition of 'friend' was commonly diluted long before Facebook ever added their button. In fact, it is often unashamedly applied where it's not valid. Any person who refers to their brother or sister as their 'best friend' has misused the word. A relative has a separate category, so is automatically excluded. In the same way, a friend cannot be described as 'family', however close the friendship.

It is the grey area of romance where the concept of a friend is most abused. A 'boyfriend' or 'girlfriend' may only be designated as such while the relationship isn't physical. As soon as sex becomes involved, then it has stepped outside the boundaries of friendship. The couple are now lovers. Similarly, stating that a husband or wife is 'my best friend' is also technically incorrect. All of the closeness associated with friendships should be implicit in the terms 'lover' or 'spouse' anyway.

Online friendships are not a feature of family interactions, as family members tend to know each other without having resource to a computer. As individuals meeting on the internet are not even in the same room, then they are unlikely to become lovers without first meeting in the physical world. In short, while perhaps not meaning more, a relationship with someone on the internet is a truer friendship than that formed with romantic partners or members of the family.

Is it Time to Drop the 'Online' from the Word 'Friend'? Friendship is a precious and beautiful attribute in our lives. When we touch a mind in conversation, or smile when we see their name pop up online, or laugh together over a funny picture, or gather for comfort and advice in a crisis, or amass for a group event in pixels, then we are with friends. Wherever there is mutual affection and shared experience, there is a friendship.

Perhaps it is time to drop the distinctions, which result in peer pressured hierarchies. There are no online friends, no real life friends, no work friends, no festival friends, no pub friends, no anything else friends. There are just friends and that is great.

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I love this. It’s funny how much I can relate. When I was younger I had so many friends that I could keep up. Real physical friends who truly cared and did things to show it. Now, I rarely hear from anyone. Yet, two of the people who take the time the most to message me and see how I’m doing, are friends from online. My “real friends” simply hit the like button on my bday or reply “happy bday” with no real effort. So don’t let your mom judge you, it’s a new age.

I have learned one thing though, it is important that you do try to be social outside the walls of the internet. It’s much harder but it’s important to communicate with humans even if it’s just being nice to your waitress or the cashier. Tech talks and meetups help me stay some what social.

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800 Words Essay On Internet in English for Students

The internet has transformed the world in ways that were unimaginable just a few decades ago. It has revolutionized how we communicate, access information, conduct business, and even how we entertain ourselves. The internet has become an integral part of our daily lives, and it’s hard to imagine a world without it.

At its core, the Internet is a vast network of interconnected computers and servers that allows for the exchange of information and data across the globe. It was originally conceived as a way for researchers and scientists to share information and collaborate on projects, but it has since evolved into a ubiquitous platform that has permeated every aspect of modern life.

One of the most significant impacts of the internet has been on communication. Before the internet, communication was limited by geography and time zones. People had to rely on physical mail, telephone calls, or face-to-face meetings to communicate with one another. The internet has made communication instantaneous and borderless. With the rise of email, instant messaging, video conferencing, and social media platforms, people can communicate with each other from anywhere in the world, at any time.

The internet has also revolutionized the way we access information. In the past, people had to rely on physical libraries, books, and other printed materials to access information. Today, with the internet, a wealth of information is available at our fingertips. From online encyclopedias to news websites, academic journals, and online databases, the internet has made it possible to access information on virtually any topic imaginable.

Another significant impact of the internet has been on the economy and the way we conduct business. The rise of e-commerce has made it possible for businesses to reach a global market and sell their products and services online. Online shopping has become increasingly popular, and many traditional brick-and-mortar stores have had to adapt to this new reality by establishing an online presence.

Furthermore, the internet has enabled the rise of the gig economy, where people can work as freelancers or contractors for multiple clients and projects simultaneously. This has created new opportunities for individuals to earn a living and has allowed businesses to access a global talent pool.

The internet has also had a profound impact on education. Online learning platforms and distance education programs have made it possible for students to access educational resources and attend classes from anywhere in the world. This has opened up new opportunities for people who may not have had access to traditional educational institutions due to geographical or financial constraints.

However, the internet has also brought with it a number of challenges and concerns. One of the biggest concerns is privacy and security. With so much personal information being shared online, there is a risk of data breaches and cyber attacks. Companies and individuals need to be vigilant about protecting their personal information and implementing strong cybersecurity measures.

Another concern is the spread of misinformation and fake news. The internet has made it easier for anyone to publish and share information, regardless of its accuracy or credibility. This has led to the proliferation of fake news and conspiracy theories, which can have serious consequences for individuals and society as a whole.

There is also concern about the impact of the internet on mental health and well-being. The constant exposure to social media and the pressure to curate a perfect online persona can lead to feelings of anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem. Additionally, the addictive nature of the internet and the constant stream of information can contribute to decreased attention spans and difficulty focusing on tasks.

Despite these challenges, the internet has proven to be an invaluable tool that has transformed the way we live, work, and interact with the world around us. It has opened up new opportunities for communication, education, and economic growth, and has made it possible for people to connect and collaborate in ways that were previously unimaginable.

As we move forward, it is important to address the challenges and concerns surrounding the internet while also embracing its potential for innovation and progress. This may involve implementing stronger cybersecurity measures, promoting digital literacy and critical thinking skills, and encouraging responsible and ethical use of the internet.

In conclusion, the internet has had a profound impact on virtually every aspect of modern life. It has revolutionized communication, education, business, and access to information. While it has brought with it a number of challenges and concerns, the internet has proven to be an invaluable tool that has transformed the way we live and interact with the world around us. As we continue to navigate the digital age, it is important to embrace the opportunities that the internet provides while also addressing its challenges and promoting responsible and ethical use.

Uses of Internet

In the 21st century, the internet has become an indispensable part of our daily lives, revolutionizing the way we connect, learn, work, and entertain ourselves. Its multifaceted uses have permeated every aspect of society, bringing about unprecedented convenience and opportunities.

Communication stands out as one of the internet’s most significant uses. Instant messaging, video calls, and social media platforms have transcended geographical barriers, allowing people to stay connected with friends and family across the globe. The internet has turned the world into a global village, fostering a sense of unity and understanding among diverse cultures.

Education has undergone a remarkable transformation due to the internet. Online courses, tutorials, and educational resources have made learning accessible to anyone with an internet connection. Students can pursue degrees, acquire new skills, and access a wealth of information at their fingertips, democratizing education and breaking down traditional barriers to learning.

The internet has also redefined the way we work. Remote collaboration tools, cloud computing, and virtual offices have become essential components of the modern workplace. This shift has not only increased efficiency but has also opened up new opportunities for freelancers and remote workers, contributing to the rise of the gig economy.

In the realm of information, the internet has become an unparalleled resource. Search engines allow us to access vast amounts of information on any topic imaginable. This democratization of information has empowered individuals, encouraging critical thinking and facilitating informed decision-making.

Entertainment has undergone a digital revolution, with streaming services, online gaming, and social media platforms providing endless avenues for amusement. The internet has not only transformed how we consume content but has also given rise to new forms of artistic expression and creativity.

In conclusion, the internet’s uses are multifaceted and far-reaching, impacting every facet of our lives. From connecting people across the globe to revolutionizing education, work, and entertainment, the internet continues to be a transformative force, shaping the present and influencing the future. As we navigate the digital landscape, it is essential to harness the potential of the internet responsibly, ensuring that it remains a force for positive change in the years to come.

Convenience Due to Internet

The advent of the internet has ushered in an era of unprecedented convenience, transforming the way we live, work, and interact with the world. In our fast-paced lives, the internet has become a cornerstone of efficiency and ease, offering a multitude of conveniences that have reshaped our daily routines.

Communication is perhaps the most obvious and impactful convenience brought about by the internet. Instant messaging, email, and social media platforms have revolutionized the way we connect with others. Whether it’s staying in touch with loved ones, collaborating with colleagues, or reaching out to friends across the globe, the internet has made communication instantaneous and seamless.

The convenience of online shopping has fundamentally altered the retail landscape. With just a few clicks, consumers can browse, compare prices, and purchase a vast array of products from the comfort of their homes. The rise of e-commerce platforms has not only made shopping more convenient but has also introduced the concept of doorstep delivery, saving time and eliminating the need for physical store visits.

Information retrieval has been transformed by the internet’s vast repository of knowledge. Search engines provide instant access to information on any conceivable topic, enabling users to quickly find answers, conduct research, and stay informed. This ease of information retrieval has empowered individuals, making knowledge more accessible than ever before.

The workplace has undergone a paradigm shift with the internet, enabling remote work and flexible schedules. Online collaboration tools, cloud computing, and virtual communication platforms have made it possible for individuals to work from virtually anywhere, reducing the constraints of traditional office settings and commuting.

Entertainment has also become infinitely more convenient through streaming services, online gaming, and digital media platforms. The ability to access a diverse range of content on-demand has given consumers unprecedented control over their entertainment choices, eliminating the need to adhere to fixed schedules or physical media.

In conclusion, the internet has woven a tapestry of convenience into the fabric of our lives. From streamlined communication and effortless online shopping to boundless information access and flexible work arrangements, the conveniences offered by the internet have become integral to our modern existence. As we navigate this digital landscape, the ongoing evolution of internet technologies continues to enhance and redefine the meaning of convenience in our interconnected world.

Also Read: Rabindranath Tagore Essay in English For Students 500+ Words Essay on Mother Teresa in English For Students Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Essay in English For Students APJ Abdul Kalam Essay For Students: Check 500 Words Essay

Essay On Internet- FAQs

What is internet short essay.

In the modern time, internet has become is one of the most powerful and interesting tools all across the world. The Internet is a network of networks and collection of many services and resources which benefits us in various ways. Using internet we can access World Wide Web from any place.

What is Internet in 150 words?

The internet is the most recent man-made creation that connects the world. The world has narrowed down after the invention of the internet. It has demolished all boundaries, which were the barriers between people and has made everything accessible. The internet is helpful to us in different ways.

What is internet 100 words?

A. The internet, a recent man-made marvel, has brought the world closer. It has shattered all barriers and made everything accessible. The internet serves us in countless ways, from sharing information with people across the world to staying connected with our loved ones.

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Essay On Internet for Students and Children

500+ words essay on internet.

We live in the age of the internet. Also, it has become an important part of our life that we can’t live without it. Besides, the internet is an invention of high-end science and modern technology . Apart from that, we are connected to internet 24×7. Also, we can send big and small messages and information faster than ever. In this essay on the Internet, we are going to discuss various things related to the internet.

Essay On Internet

Reach of Internet

It is very difficult to estimate the area that the internet cover. Also, every second million people remain connected to it with any problem or issue. Apart from that, just like all the things the internet also has some good and bad effect on the life of people. So the first thing which we have to do is learn about the good and bad effect of the internet.

Good effects of the internet mean all those things that the internet make possible. Also, these things make our life easier and safer.

Bad effects of the internet mean all those things that we can no longer do because of the internet. Also, these things cause trouble for oneself and others too.

You can access in any corner of the world. Also, it is very easy to use and manage. In today’s world, we cannot imagine our life without it.

Get the huge list of more than 500 Essay Topics and Ideas

Uses Of Internet

From the time it first came into existence until now the internet has completed a long journey. Also, during this journey, the internet has adopted many things and became more user-friendly and interactive. Besides, every big and small things are available on internet and article or material that you require can be obtainable from internet.

internet friends essay

Tim Berners-Lee can be called one of the main father of internet as he invented/discovered the WWW (World Wide Web) which is used on every website. Also, there are millions of pages and website on the internet that it will take you years to go through all of them.

The Internet can be used to do different things like you can learn, teach, research, write, share, receive, e-mail , explore, and surf the internet.

Read Essay on Technology here

Convenience Due To Internet

Because of internet, our lives have become more convenient as compared to the times when we don’t have internet. Earlier, we have to stand in queues to send mails (letters), for withdrawing or depositing money, to book tickets, etc. but after the dawn of the internet, all these things become quite easy. Also, we do not have to waste our precious time standing in queues.

Also, the internet has contributed a lot to the environment as much of the offices (government and private), school and colleges have become digital that saves countless paper.

Although, there is no doubt that the internet had made our life easier and convenient but we can’t leave the fact that it has caused many bigger problems in the past. And with the speed, we are becoming addict to it a day in will come when it will become our basic necessity.

{ “@context”: “https://schema.org”, “@type”: “FAQPage”, “mainEntity”: [ { “@type”: “Question”, “name”: “What are the limitation of internet?”, “acceptedAnswer”: { “@type”: “Answer”, “text”: “Although internet can help you with anything but there are certain limitation to it. First of it does not have a physical appearance. Secondly, it does not have emotions and thirdly, it can’t send you to a place where you can’t go (physically).” } }, { “@type”: “Question”, “name”: “What is the ideal age for using internet?”, “acceptedAnswer”: { “@type”: “Answer”, “text”: “Nowadays everybody from small kids to adult is internet addicts. So it is difficult to decide an ideal age for using internet. However, according to researches using internet from an early age can cause problems in the child so internet usage of small children should be controlled or banned.” } } ] }

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127 Friendship Essay Topic Ideas & Examples

When you have a good friendship topic, essay writing becomes as easy as it gets. We have some for you!

📝 Friendship Essay Structure

🏆 best friendship topic ideas & essay examples, 💡 good essay topics on friendship, 🎓 simple & easy friendship essay titles, 📌 most interesting friendship topics to write about, ❓ research questions about friendship.

Describing a friend, talking about your relationship and life experiences can be quite fun! So, take a look at our topics on friendship in the list below. Our experts have gathered numerous ideas that can be extremely helpful for you. And don’t forget to check our friendship essay examples via the links.

Writing a friendship essay is an excellent way to reflect on your relationships with other people, show your appreciation for your friends, and explore what friendship means to you. What you include in your paper is entirely up to you, but this doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t structure it properly. Here is our advice on structuring an essay on friendship:

  • Begin by selecting the right topic. It should be focused and creative so that you can earn a high mark. Think about what friendship means to you and write down your thoughts. Reflect on your relationship with your best friend and see if you can write an essay that incorporates these themes. If these steps didn’t help – don’t worry! Fortunately, there are many web resources that can help you choose. Browse samples of friendship essays online to see if there are any topics that interest you.
  • Create a title that reflects your focus. Paper titles are important because they grasp the reader’s attention and make them want to read further. However, many people find it challenging to name their work, so you can search for friendship essay titles online if you need to.
  • Once you get the first two steps right, you can start developing the structure of your essay. An outline is a great tool because it presents your ideas in a clear and concise manner and ensures that there are no gaps or irrelevant points. The most basic essay outline has three components: introduction, body, and conclusion. Type these out and move to the next step. Compose an introduction. Your introduction should include a hook, some background information, and a thesis. A friendship essay hook is the first sentence in the introduction, where you draw the reader’s attention. For instance, if you are creating an essay on value of friendship, include a brief description of a situation where your friends helped you or something else that comes to mind. A hook should make the reader want to read the rest of the essay. After the hook, include some background information on your chosen theme and write down a thesis. A thesis statement is the final sentence of the first paragraph that consists of your main argument.
  • Write well-structured body paragraphs. Each body paragraph should start with one key point, which is then developed through examples, references to resources, or other content. Make sure that each of the key points relates to your thesis. It might be useful to write out all of your key points first before you write the main body of the paper. This will help you to see if any of them are irrelevant or need to be swapped to establish a logical sequence. If you are composing an essay on the importance of friendship, each point should show how a good friend can make life better and more enjoyable. End each paragraph with a concluding sentence that links it to the next part of the paper.
  • Finally, compose a conclusion. A friendship essay conclusion should tie together all your points and show how they support your thesis. For this purpose, you should restate your thesis statement at the beginning of the final paragraph. This will offer your reader a nice, well-balanced closure, leaving a good impression of your work.

We hope that this post has assisted you in understanding the basic structure of a friendship paper. Don’t forget to browse our website for sample papers, essay titles, and other resources!

  • Gilgamesh and Enkidu Friendship Essay The role of friendship in the Epic of Gilgamesh is vital. This essay unfolds the theme of friendship between Gilgamesh and Enkidu that develops in the course of the story.
  • Friendship and Friend’s Support It is the ability to find the right words for a friend, help in a difficult moment, and find a way out together.
  • Friendship of Amir and Hassan in The Kite Runner The idea of friendship in The Kite Runner is considered to be one of the most important, particularly in terms of how friendship is appreciated by boys of different classes, how close the concepts of […]
  • The Confessions of St. Augustine on Friendship Augustine of Hippo believes that the only real source of friendship is God, and he adds that it is only through this God-man relationship that people can understand the ideal meaning of friendship.
  • Classification of Friendship Best friends An acquaintance is someone whose name you know, who you see every now and then, who you probably have something in common with and who you feel comfortable around.
  • Friendship as a Personal Relationship Friends should be people who are sources of happiness to one another and will not forsake each other even when everybody around is against them.
  • Greek and Roman Perspectives on Male Friendship in Mythology The reason for such attitude can be found in the patriarchal culture and the dominant role of free adult males in the Greek and Roman social life. However, this was not the only, and probably […]
  • The Theme of Friendship in the “Arranged” Film As can be seen, friendship becomes the source of improved emotional and mental well-being, encouraging Rochel and Nasira to remain loyal to their values and beliefs.
  • Friendship as Moral Experience One of the things I have realized over the course of the last few years is that while it is possible to experience friendship and have a deep, spiritual connection with another person, it is […]
  • Effect of Friendship on Students’ Emotional Health The study discovered a significant positive correlation between the quality of new friendships and adjustment to university; this association is more robust for students living in residence than those commuting to university. Friday and Adkins […]
  • Childhood Friendship and Psychology Based on their research, they have founded a theory, according to which it is assumed that the children consider close relationship, appraisals, and sharing common interests as something very important to them and on the […]
  • Social Media Communication and Friendship According to Maria Konnikova, social media have altered the authenticity of relationships: the world where virtual interactions are predominant is likely to change the next generation in terms of the ability to develop full social […]
  • Defining of True Friendship This is the same devotion that my friends and I have toward each other. Another thing that best defines friends is the sacrifices that they are willing to make for each other.
  • The Importance of Friendship in “The Epic of Gilgamesh” At the beginning of the story, Gilgamesh, the king of the Sumerian city of Uruk, despite achievements in the development of the town, causes the dislike of his subjects.
  • Article Study on the Friendship Concept In the critical review article, the views of Norman Kutcher on the formation of friendships are discussed in detail. In this article, the views of other scholars are discussed in order to strengthen the works […]
  • Friendship’s Philosophical Description In order for a friendship to exist, the two parties must demonstrate first and foremost a willingness to ensure that only the best occurs to their counterpart.
  • Friendship in the ‘Because of Winn Dixie’ by Kate Dicamillo In the book “Because of Winn Dixie”, Kate DiCamillo focuses on a ten-year-old girl India Opal Buloni and her friend, a dog named Winn Dixie.
  • True Friendship from Personal Perspective The perfect understanding of another person’s character and visions is one of the first characteristics of a true friendship. In such a way, true friendship is an inexhaustible source of positive emotions needed for everyone […]
  • “Is True Friendship Dying Away?” and “The Price We Pay” Then Purpose of the essay is to depict the way social media such as Facebook and Twitter have influenced the lifestyles of every person in the world.
  • Gender Stereotyping and Friendship: Women Relationships The most interesting about this article is its ending which states that” the core of a friendship has to have more in-person interactions and experience”.
  • Faux Friendship and Social Networking The modern-day relationships have dissolved the meaning of the word friendship; as aromatic lovers refer to each other as friends, parents want their children to think of them as friends, teachers, clergymen and bosses have […]
  • Analysis of Internet Friendship Issues Despite the correlation that develops on the internet, the question of whether social media can facilitate and guarantee the establishment of a real friend has remained a key area of discussion.
  • Friendship in The Old Man and The Sea The book was the last published during the author’s lifetime, and some critics believe that it was his reflection on the topics of death and the meaning of life.
  • Friendship from a Sociological Perspective For example Brazilians studying in Europe and United States were met with the stereotypes that Brazilians are warm people and are easy to establish friendships.
  • Friendship’s meaning around the world Globally it’s very ludicrous today for people to claim that they are in a friendship yet they do not even know the true meaning of friendship.
  • Friendship and Peer Networking in Middle Childhood Peer networking and friendship have a great impact on the development of a child and their overall well-being. Students in elementary need an opportunity to play and network with their peers.
  • Friendship in “The Song of Roland” This phrase sums up Roland’s predicament in the book as it relates to his reluctance to sound the Oliphant horn. In the final horn-blowing episode, Roland is aggressively persuaded to blow the horn for Charlemagne’s […]
  • Trust Aspect of Friendship: Qualitative Study Given the previous research on preserving close communication and terminating it, the authors seek to examine the basics of productive friendship and the circumstances that contribute to the end of the interaction.
  • Educator-Student Relationships: Friendship or Authority? Ford and Sassi present the view that the combination of authority and the establishment of interpersonal relations should become the way to improve the performance of learners.
  • Friendship in the Film “The Breakfast Club” The main themes which can be identified in the storyline are crisis as a cause and catalyst of friendship, friendship and belonging, and disclosure and intimacy in friendship.
  • Friendship Police Department Organizational Change The one that is going to challenge the efforts, which will be aimed at rectifying the situation, is the lack of trust that the employees have for the new leader who they expect to become […]
  • Friendship in the Analects and Zhuangzi Texts The author of “The Analects of Confucius” uses the word friend in the first section of the text to emphasize the importance of friendship.
  • How to Develop a Friendship: Strategies to Meet New Friends Maintaining a connection with old friends and finding time to share life updates with them is a good strategy not to lose ties a person already has. A person should work hard to form healthy […]
  • Is There Friendship Between Women? In conclusion, comparing my idea of women’s friendship discussed in my proposal to the theoretic materials of the course I came to a conclusion that strong friendship between women exists, and this is proved in […]
  • Online Friendship Formationby in Mesch’s View The modern world tends to the situation when people develop the greatest empathy towards their online friends because it seems that the ratio and the deepness of these relationships can be controlled; written and posted […]
  • Canadian-American Diefenbaker-Eisenhower Friendship In particular, the paper investigates the Mandatory Oil Import Program and the exemption of Canada from this initiative as well as the historical treaty that was officially appended by the two leaders in regard to […]
  • Friendship Influencing Decisions When on Duty The main stakeholders are the local community, the judge, and the offenders. The right of the society is to receive objective and impartial treatment of its members.
  • Friendship: To Stay or to Leave Each member of the group found out who really is a friend and who is not. This implies that the level of trust is high between Eddie and Vic.
  • Friendship: Sociological Term Review But one is not aware of that type of friendship; it is necessary to study it. Friendship is a matter of consciousness; love is absolutely unconscious.
  • The Significance of Friendship in Yeonam The paper examines the depth and extent to which Yeonam was ready to go and if he was bound by the norms of the human friendship and association of his era.
  • Cicero and Plutarch’s Views on Friendship He believed that befriending a man for sensual pleasures is the ideal of brute beasts; that is weak and uncertain with caprice as its foundation than wisdom. It is this that makes such carelessness in […]
  • Friendship: The Meaning and Relevance Although the basic definition of a friendship falls under the category of somebody whom we feel a level of affection and trust for or perhaps a favored companion, the truth of the matter is that […]
  • Gender and Cultural Studies: Intimacy, Love and Friendship Regardless of the driving force, intimacy and sexual connections are common in many happy relationships. Of significance is monogamy whose definition among the heterosexuals and lesbians remains a challenge.
  • “Feminism and Modern Friendship” by Marilyn Friedman Individualism denies that the identity and nature of human beings as individuals is a product of the roles of communities as well as social relationships.
  • Fate of Friendship and Contemporary Ethics Is friendship possible in the modern world dominated by pragmatism and will it exist in the future? For instance, Cicero takes the point of view of the social entity, in other words, he defines friendship […]
  • Feminism and Modern Friendship While criticizing these individuals, Marilyn asserts that the omission of sex and gender implies that these individuals wanted to affirm that social attachment such as societies, families, and nationalities contribute to identity rather than sex […]
  • Creating a Friendship Culture This family will ensure every church member and youth is part of the youth ministry. I will always help every newcomer in the ministry.
  • Friendship is in Everyone’s Life Though, different books were written in different times, the descriptions of a friendship have the same essence and estimate that one cannot be completely satisfied with his/her life if one does not have a friend.
  • Intimacy, Love and Friendship and how they translate to employability The use of love and its conventions in the NAB campaigns is an illustration of how love as a concept can be used to translate to employability.
  • Intimacy, Love and Friendship In the past, women in Australia led a life characterized by a lot of hardships because of the harsh traditions that they were supposed to follow.
  • Contemporary Understanding of Intimacy and Friendship The Social Network film discusses how Facebook was developed and the challenges of developing the giant social site. Many people are of the view that Facebook has the effect of enslaving them by making their […]
  • Interpretation of Friendship among Confucian and Neo-Confucian writers In his article “The Fifth Relationship; Dangerous Friendships in the Confucian Context”, Norman Kutcher explores the friendship as outlined under the Confucian system. The above writers have different interpretations of friendship of the under the […]
  • Why International Students Find It Hard to Make Friends On the other hand, in societies that promote a high power distance, less powerful individuals accept their position in the chain of command and acknowledge the strengths of their superiors in the hierarchy.
  • The Impact of Friendship in the Epic of Gilgamesh The elusive coalition between Enkidu and Gilgamesh, their fateful destinies and eventual epiphanies broaden the societal apprehension of the elements/value of friendship as expounded in the next discussion.
  • Friendship Type – Companionship Relationship A friendship is ideally not an obsession since the latter involves a craving for another person that might even lead to violence just to be in site of the other party.
  • Aristotle’s Ideas on Civic Relationships: Happiness, the Virtues, Deliberation, Justice, and Friendship On building trust at work, employers are required to give minimum supervision to the employees in an effort to make the latter feel a sense of belonging and responsibility.
  • Henry Thoreau: The Concept of the Friendship Not every person is able to understand the essence of nature, its uniqueness, and importance. To my mind, his close connection to nature and a kind of isolation from people helped him to understand deeper […]
  • Why Honesty Is Important In A Friendship
  • The Truth and Friendship in the Movie Camelot
  • A Discussion About the Value of Friendship as Portrayed in Damon and Pythias
  • What Is the Meaning of True Friendship
  • A Literary Analysis of Friendship in Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare
  • Factors Contributing to the Ups and Downs of Friendship in Knowles’ A Separate Peace
  • Friendship and Love in the Little Prince
  • Confidantes, Marriage, and Friendship in Pride and Prejudice
  • What Makes A Successful Friendship
  • Understanding Friendship Through The Staircase Model
  • An Analysis of Friendship and Rejection in The Heart is a Lonely Hunter by Carson McCullers
  • A Discussion on the Different Types of Friendship
  • An Analysis of Friendship in Lord of the Flies by William Golding
  • A Literary Analysis of Friendship in a Separate Peace by John Knowles
  • An Analysis of the Concept of Friendship in A Separate Piece by John Knowles
  • A Separate Peace and Of Mice and Men – Real Friendship
  • The Theme of True Friendship in the Book of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck
  • The Value of Friendship in Great Expectations
  • What Makes A Good Friendship
  • The Theme of Friendship in Separate Ways by Higuchi Ichiyo and Uncanny Stories by SongLing
  • Virtual Friendship and the New Narcissism
  • The Waltz Of Sociability : Intimacy, Dislocation And Friendship
  • The True Meaning of the Word Friendship
  • A Description of Impartiality, Beneficence and Friendship According to Lawrence Blum
  • Aristotle ‘s Views On Friendship
  • Friendship and Courage in The Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway
  • An Analysis of Friendship and Loyalty in the Film The Deer Hunter
  • Turning Away from True Friendship
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  • An Analysis of the Dangers of Friendship
  • The Victorian Female Friendship and Homosexual References in Emily Dickinson’s Work
  • What Is Friendship And How Is God Man ‘s Best Friend?
  • The Venerable Kassapa Thera: A Living Symbol of Dedication, Courage, Altruism and Intimate Friendship
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15 Prompts for Talking and Writing About Friendship

Questions to help students reflect on the meaning of friendship in their lives

internet friends essay

By Natalie Proulx

Who are your closest friends? How much do you share with them? Do you actually like your friends? What have you learned from them?

Below, we’ve rounded up 15 questions we’ve asked students over the years all about friendship. You can use them as prompts for writing or discussion, inside the classroom or out. We hope they’ll inspire you to reflect on your friendships, consider how you can strengthen the ones you have, and motivate you to reach out and make new ones.

Each prompt includes an excerpt from a related New York Times article, essay or photo; a link to the related piece; and several questions to help you think deeply about it. Many of these questions are still open for comment from students 13 or older.

You can find even more ideas for teaching and learning about friendship in our related lesson plan: How Students Can Cultivate Meaningful Friendships Using The New York Times .

1. Who Are Your Friends?

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  • Friend or Foe?

This week, as we went around the table and gave our standard introductions, our esteemed guest Professor Latanya Sweeney asked us each to add whether we view the internet as a friend or a foe. Caught a bit off guard, my first instinct was to say that the internet is our foe. At least, that it already has the capability to be.

Just the day before, I had read an article that a friend on Facebook had circulated about a college freshman named Madison Holleran who, contrary to an outward presentation online of being a happy, successful student-athlete, had battled with depression and ultimately took her own life in 2014 (see this video report  by ESPN ). Though the focus of the tragedy is definitely not her social media accounts but her clinical depression and the difficulty of transitioning to college, it powerfully demonstrates how curated and untrue our online personas are; Madison’s Instagram presented a content a smiley undergraduate who dreamed of athletic glory out on the track, not one who battled with inner demons. This veil can prevent users from receiving help,  as possibly in Madison’s case, because they seem to be thriving on the surface. In addition, these hand-picked, painstakingly assembled images of perfection that serve as our social media presences can be destructive for others.

A couple weeks ago, my parents sent me this video  made by a current freshman at Cornell portraying loneliness as a freshman transitioning into college. She describes how even though she knows that “social media is fake and stuff,” the constant stream of videos and pictures from her high school friends having the time of their lives in college only added to the sense of isolation.  This sentiment was all too relatable for me, and of course extends beyond the scope of college—in general, people use social media to show the best sides of themselves, and viewers perceive these curations as their daily lives and feel alone in their entirely normal imperfect and bumpy lives.

On the flip side, the internet can do a whole lot of good for people socially. As we read in the article “Trust me, I’m your smartphone,” the internet can serve as a lifeline for minority demographics in particular who find support and comfort through connection with people of similar experiences. And admittedly I haven’t even touched on the purposes the internet serves beyond social connection, such as information collection and distribution, collaboration, business, and more. The internet does a whole lot of good and bad in those fields, as well, but I digress.

The conclusion I came to after our seminar and further reflection is to agree with Hannah—that the internet is neither a friend nor foe, but simply a tool. An incredibly powerful tool, that is, with which we have the capability to reach unimaginable heights… if we don’t destroy ourselves first.

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November 26, 2017 at 10:05 pm

How we represent ourselves to other is one of the most difficult things we do. Starting college is particularly interesting and difficult, as it is a time when (if you travel to a school where you aren’t known by everyone) you get a chance to start over and invent yourself. It can be lonely, but it is also a time when everyone around you doesn’t know the bone-headed things you did in your past (I still shudder to think of junior high school).

The Internet, and social media, can make this re-invention more difficult (everyone who you knew before is still there) and, at the same time, easier (since you get to decide what you post). In both cases, it makes it hard to be honest, as we all try to curate our selves. That honesty takes time, but we are all who we are no matter what we try to be.

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December 6, 2017 at 9:58 pm

This year’s seminar has me thinking so much more about the issues you bring up. You might take a look at Tito’s post from this week’s session and my response. I talk about the issue and when it hit me, but before the Internet-connected world. Thank you so much for your thoughts.

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  1. Making Real Friends on the Internet: [Essay Example], 658 words

    The concept of making real friends online has gained traction, raising questions about the authenticity of these relationships and the potential benefits and drawbacks. This essay delves into the complexities of forming genuine friendships on the internet, examining both the positive and negative aspects to offer a comprehensive perspective.

  2. How to Make Friends On the Internet

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  3. Online Friends: Can You Make Real Friends on The Internet

    This is a sweeping statement. However, we can agree to a large extent that online friends are not equal to real life friends. Online friends can be defined as friends or acquaintances that one interacts with purely through the medium of the Internet. Real life friends, on the other hand, are friends that we have met and interact in society.

  4. Social Media Friends vs Real-Life Friends: Is There a Difference?

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  5. Making Friends Through Internet Essay

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  6. Are Friends Online As Legitimate As Real-Life Friends?

    Pros of having an online friend. Nowhere in the definition of the word "friend" does it indicate you must communicate in person. Online friendships are a wonderful part of many people's lives. You can bond with someone from behind another screen, and sometimes the bond goes deeper than it does for your in-person friends - for several ...

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    Key words: computer-mediated communication, cyberspace, friendship, Internet, online relationships Introduction Aristotle argued that ''Friendship is a thing most necessary to life, since without friends no one would choose to live, though possessed of all other advan- ... In this essay, I critique Cocking and Matthews' ...

  11. Essay on Internet: 150-250 words, 500-1000 words for Students

    The Internet has become an integral part of our lives, and navigating its impact requires thoughtful engagement, ethical practices, and continuous adaptation to the ever-changing digital landscape. Here we have shared the Essay on Internet in detail so you can use it in your exam or assignment of 150, 250, 400, 500, or 1000 words.

  12. Internet Friends: How a bond that began on LiveJournal sparked one

    In "Internet Friends," writers tell stories of friendships created, maintained, and (sometimes) ended online. To pitch your own Internet Friendship, email [email protected].

  13. Analysis of Internet Friendship Issues Essay

    Analysis of Internet Friendship Issues Essay. The age of technology and the development of social media platform have made distance a subtle factor that hinders human interaction. Currently, there is a rapid increase in the level of communication between people who are in different locations. The involvement sometimes influences close ...

  14. Pros and Cons of Online Friendships

    Con. You can lose yourself in the online world. Online friendships can get addicting. You might end up abandoning your real-life friends in favor of your online acquaintances. It is very important to find a balance between online and IRL friendships. The bottom line is, online friendships are great as long as you're being careful and don't lose ...

  15. The Importance of Friendship: Ways to Nurture and Strengthen

    Making Real Friends on the Internet Essay. 1 pages / 658 words. Charles Dickens' Exploration of First Impressions in His Work David Copperfield Essay ... The Meaning of Friendship Essay. Friendship is an essential aspect of human life that has been studied, analyzed, and celebrated for centuries. The meaning of friendship is complex and ...

  16. What is a Friend? The Real Life Versus Online Friends Debate

    The Oxford English Dictionary informs us that a friend is a noun. It is 'a person (other than a relative or lover) with whom one is on terms of mutual affection; a supporter of a cause; a person on the same side in a conflict.'. Online friendships do fit the dictionary definition. Terms of mutual affection can and do exist between people known ...

  17. 800 Words Essay On Internet in English for Students

    800 Words Essay On Internet in English for Students

  18. Can You Make Real Friends on the Internet? Essay

    A real-life friend is there to comfort you with a hug when needed. You can spend time together, go to the park, go out to eat, go to the movies etc. It is easier to communicate and understand someone because everything can be said face to face. With face-to-face contact, you can communicate in a variety of ways, verbally, with your body ...

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    This essay unfolds the theme of friendship between Gilgamesh and Enkidu that develops in the course of the story. Friendship and Friend's Support. It is the ability to find the right words for a friend, help in a difficult moment, and find a way out together. Friendship of Amir and Hassan in The Kite Runner.

  22. 15 Prompts for Talking and Writing About Friendship

    15 Prompts for Talking and Writing About Friendship

  23. Friend or Foe?

    Friend or Foe? This week, as we went around the table and gave our standard introductions, our esteemed guest Professor Latanya Sweeney asked us each to add whether we view the internet as a friend or a foe. Caught a bit off guard, my first instinct was to say that the internet is our foe. At least, that it already has the capability to be ...