[ contents ] Vol. 4, No. 1, 2006. pp: 1-14

Finding Love Online: The Nature and Frequency of Australian Adults’ Internet Relationships

Authors:  Elizabeth Hardie and Simone Buzwell

abstract

A telephone survey of 1013 Australian adults revealed 78% had used the internet, 13% to form online social relationships. Those forming online relationships tended to be students, young, single, comfortable with new technology, likely to vote Green and unlikely to vote Liberal. When this group was broken down into those who formed online friendships (n = 82) or online romantic relationships (n = 22) close examination of the latter revealed an interesting profile. Those who experienced online romance spanned all age, gender, political and religious groups. Most met their cyberpartner face to face on many occasions and relationships tended to be lasting. Equal proportions of single and partnered individuals admitted they had experienced online romance, indicating that many cyberdaters may be cybercheaters. It appears that the internet is replacing traditional routes to friendship and romance, but further research is needed to clarify the nature and impact of online relationships.

Key Words – Internet relationships; online friendship; online romantic relationships; online adultery

Elizabeth Hardie is a senior lecturer in psychology at Swinburne University of Technology.

Simone Buzwell lectures in psychology at Swinburne University of Technology.

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