Communications of the ACM · 2002 · 578 citations · 54 references
Social SciencesCommunicationSocial PsychologyInterpersonal CommunicationInterpersonal RelationshipsRelationship MarketingOnline CommunitiesRelationship MaintenanceRelationship QualityRelationship SatisfactionSocial ExchangeVirtual CommunitiesInterpersonal Communication OnlineNet Benefit AnalysisOnline Interpersonal CommunicationOnline Social InteractionSocial Relationship QualityVirtual Relationships
Online relationships are less valuable than offline ones. Indeed, their net benefit depends on whether they supplement or substitute for offline social relationships.
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