“Love Online” by Henry Jenkins

In the article “Love Online,” is narrated by a father whose son, Henry, was involved in an online relationship. Henry had met Sarah in an online discussion group, and they hit things off from there. After exchanging each other’s phone numbers, Henry and Sarah were getting even closer by sending each other virtual gifts and virtual candy. Sarah’s father has been screening his daughters’ phone calls and listening into the conversations between Henry and Sarah. The father did not approve of this at all and thinks that his daughter should not be talking to boys unless they know another personally. Sarah’s father then filed a courtship and gathered every conversation that Henry and Sarah had and put it on paper. Although, Henry and Sarah’s relationship was shown to be a strong bondage, and henrys father agreed to accompany him on a trip to see Sarah. After making the trip and spending time with each other, they have many commonalities and were social off the bat. Yet, the relationship terminated later after the interaction, not due to the distance or because the real life experience didn’t meet expectations, they just couldn’t get passed the fact that Sarah’s father didn’t approve. After many years passed, Henry continued to try the online relationships, and encountered many other women over the internet.

 

This article exemplified the major impact that technology plays on our lives and even our relationships. In regards to Sarah and Henry’s relationship, they considered themselves “dating” even though they only sent numerous messages and a handful of pictures. This caught my attention, because I don’t believe that this could be considered “dating” unless both counterparts are interested in each other’s personal traits too, not just because of their conversations online. Although, this relationship lasted a long time and they both had the same amount of interest to see each other in person.

 

I think that the internet is a good way to meet someone, but not to date. Also, its obnoxious to have a long distance relationship that lasts longer than a month over an online social media platform. On the other hand, that is just my opinion, and people are free to have arelationship in any way they please. This shows how large the internet can play a role in our lives, and maybe soon, everyone will be dating online, due to the fact that everyone is invested in their cell phones and technical devices now a day.

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