Internet relationships have been subject to a lot of praise, media coverage, and criticism. But what really goes on in these online relationships? Is the popularity of cyber relationships a reflection of the fact that the world is getting smaller or does it just show that people don't go out of their houses anymore? Cyber relationships are more than just a fad - they have changed the way that we perceive romance. Here are some reasons why it works for a lot of people:

It's easier to meet someone that fits your "type" online. Ever had a crush on a girl only to be disappointed at her bad taste in movies? Or have you ever dated a woman you really liked, only to find out at the end of the date that she used to be a man? People are never what they seem to be, and it's more likely to find personality types that you're attracted to via online dating sites and even regular messageboards. With all the new advanced searched functions of dating websites, it's no surprise that people can enter their preferred body type and personality type and find a perfect match.

It's also easier to find people that you're compatible with via special interest online communities. For example, I know of a couple who met via an "All My Children" TV messageboard and they've been together for 2 years. They are now moving into an apartment together. Online communities are a great way to meet like-minded people, and oftentimes, romantic attractions develop.

With cyber relationships, you also get to spend a lot of time talking and communicating, without being distracted by messy physical stuff. You get to know each other first on an intellectual and emotional level, before you move on to physical intimacy. This makes later physical meetings more comfortable, especially since you already know the person that you're with. Dates are often less awkward, and people tend to be less nervous if they've established strong communication ties with their online lover.

Perhaps the best aspect of cyber relationships is that it's easy to maintain contact, and easy to break it off as well. If you have internet access at work, you can easily talk to your online lover in the background via email or instant messaging. This creates opportunities to express your feelings anywhere and anytime - even when you're facing a very busy schedule. But cyber relationships are easy to break off too, since you're not faced with the fear of confronting someone over the phone or face to face. A lot of people can find the "breaking up" part of the relationship to be really stressful. And if your cyber lover ends up being a psychotic stalker - all you have to do is block him or her from your email, as well as your instant messaging program.