To what extent do relationships that are formed online and remain virtual differ from ones that are formed as a result of meeting in person?

To what extent do relationships that are formed online and remain virtual differ from ones that are formed as a result of meeting in person? 

Relationships that are formed online and remain virtual are completely different because yes you meet online but how do you know they are truly a real person till you meet in person?  If its the case were you are what they call cat fished like the new hit mtv show.  You meet someone online but you remain virtual and so does the relationship.  This is where you don't know if the person is made up or if the person is actually a real human being that looks like their picture.  There is always someone behind the other screen but how do you know that person is really the person your talking to.  On the other hand great things can happen from online relationships when you finally meet in person like all of these online dating websites.  Anyway I find it to be a dark deep pit when meeting someone online and staying only a virtual relationship.  

Describe how using social networking technologies changes how you communicate with your family and friends.

I use social networking to communicate with almost all of my family members and friends all over the world.  I have friends in Germany and Brazil that without social networking like skype and facebook I wouldn't be able to talk to them without it costing me an arm and a leg.  It's not just for those few friends that are across the world it's also for those friends that are 45 mins away from me that I can't see every day like my family back home.  Social media has its ups and downs but keeping in contact with those people that are close to you is priceless.