The All State

Media Credit: Dustin Kramer Many people have found love using an Internet site. Sites such as MySpace and eHarmony provide the perfect forum for people to network, whether they are looking for friendship or romance. [Click to enlarge]

Facebook, MySpace, eHarmony.

What do these three Web sites have in common? Each Web site allows users the ability to chat and message friends, family and to meet new people.

A popular trend seen more and more these days is to connect with people from online social networking Web sites and then interact with them in the real world.

While there are serious risks involved, many people are finding new friends, boyfriends, girlfriends and even spouses online.

There are many factors that have led to the rise in the popularity of the online social networking Web sites. The most advantageous factor was the creation of the Internet. The Internet has managed to bleed its way into every factor of society, and now has even consumed both networking and romance.

Another factor is the constant need to maintain a busy lifestyle. According to a 2006 BBC article, entitled "Love on the web" current societal pressures have pushed people into maintaining such busy lives they have so little time for traditional dating.

Freshmen Shea Natterstad said, "It's a good way to meet people. It is easier to talk to people online."

Truth be told: Many people are meeting online, or meeting again, as is the case of Ashleigh Sommer, a 22-year-old from Clarksville, Tenn. Sommer began chatting with her significant other on MySpace in November 2005.

She had previously worked with him at Wal-Mart, yet both hadn't the courage to speak to each other. In December of 2005 they went on their first date, and the couple was married a year later. Obviously, had there not been the Internet connection, this relationship would likely not have happened.

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