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As Good as a {{Hug}}? If you communicate, connect and bond using cyber methods such as texting, IM, chatrooms and cell phone calls, you are not alone.  A growing percentage of all contact with others is taking place electronically.  Below, explore the comparison of everything good and bad of both cyber relationships and in-person contact! Benefits of Cyber Relationships: - can use imagination and fantasy to present yourself - safety in revealing feelings/sharing emotions - more open discussion - distance between participants doesn’t matter - offers flexibility in time of day availability - communication can occur simultaneously with large numbers of people Downside of Cyber Relationships: - amplifies possibility of misunderstandings - no facial expressions or body language - no tone of voice - lacks possibility of touch -  easy to be misled -all activities are virtual Benefits of In-Person Relationships: - powerful use of senses - smells and tastes generate memories for decades - hearing a voice or music stimulates important growth - security and love can be physically felt -  comfort can be offered in times of distress -meetings are productive and stimulating - activities can be enjoyed Downside of In-Person Relationships: - no hiding true physical appearance or personality - interactions tend to be in smaller groups - distance cannot be bridged without travel - more conventional meeting times required Both kinds of personal relationships offer some very strong benefits, but the essential interactions that each person needs to feel secure and loved can only come from in-person contact.  Cyber relationships can be complex and meaningful, but in the end can be seen as a supplement to the in-person relationships everyone needs.  So what’s the end result?  Having both kinds of relationships provides a perfect balance!