Virtual Spaces, Authentic Relationships: The Nature of Friendship Online

Presentation from the 2007 NMC Symposium on Evolution of Communication

The American Heritage Dictionary lists one definition of the word, "friend," as, "A person whom one knows, likes, and trusts." This session explores the ways in which modern communication technologies enable people to come to know, like, and trust one another, independently of in-person interaction, and if such friendships are inherently different from friendships based on face-to-face contact.