Lets do it online

It has been suggested that sexuality and intimacy online has become an arising issue due to changes and developments in technology. Prior to modernity, relationship formations were symbolised and characterized by gender roles and sexuality was seen to be more so linked with reproduction. But with the increasing freedom that has come with technological developments such as social networking sites, people are now able to have more choice in the types of relationships that they want to enter into. Though, with such selection and developments made online comes added anxiety about relationships and issues with intimacy, supporting the argument of intimacy formed through distance versus physical closeness without intimacy. New technology such as Skype has brought new ways of exploring and showing intimacy, but new anxieties also. Developments such as Skype are open to interpretation, they are believed to be used to create and sustain a connection but can also be viewed as a level of surveillance. Presently, online networks allow individuals to build an identity for themselves which can constantly be re-assessed and changed, partnerships are then more democratic as they share the view of equal ranking. Creating romance online can be understood to involve the formation of roles and using the imagination within virtual spaces. These dating networking sites are consequently teaching users how to 'present' themselves and is a form of branding. It has provided us with a set of norms and expectations when presenting ideas and images so they appear real and authentic while being interesting. Therefore with new media has come concerns over infidelity and the emotional/physical debate.