Are Forums and MMOs a form of Socialization?
 

As far as I'm concerned, they are. People say it doesn't count. They say any friends you make online don't count. This is not true last I checked, MSN counts as socialization, so why can't forums and mmos?

Socializing is the act of interacting with others, meaning that at this moment, I am socializing with you guys.

Anyway, what are your views on this?

Anyone who thinks its not a form of socialisation is just ignorant of this form of socialising really. People spend days and neglect families etc, playing Warcraft 3 for a reason.

It's not always healthy, that's for sure...but it is socialization.

Probably it is because I am "old" that I do find it a strange when people talk about their boyfriend or girlfriend, and it turns out it is someone they have never physically met.

I believe relationships can be started online, and maintained online...but when I hear about emotional breakups with people that you haven't ever met or even know what they look like...

If you don't know what they look like, don't plan to meet and its meant to be long term.. well thats just really really sad >.>
I was watching a news report about it the other day. They showed guys and girls who like to have sex via "avatar chat" like IMVU or some x-rated ones but will never talk to the opposite sex offline... lol.

I agree with that. You know, I understand meeting on forums, PM'ing...getting to know each other...and then deciding to meet somehow. But what's the point if you never actually physically meet?

Yes, they are forms of socialization. You can make friends online. However, it is hard to regard them as real friends...

ok yea it is because people get emotionally attached to people they meet online
heres a story for you... just to prove my point

Megan Meier was an overwieght girl and these girls in the neighborhood loved to pick on her. She had a myspace. Some girls from the neighborhood made a fake myspace account and posted a picture of a hot guy. "He" messaged her and called her pretty and was a sweetheart to her. They were talking for a few months and "he" was so nice. These girls then decided that they had had enouh fun with making her feel like she was a somebody, so "he" said "he" didnt want to talk to her because he heard she was mean to her friends (she had no friends) she was confused and hurt and she told "him" that that wasnt true. "He" told her a lot of mean things and all these girls got on their myspace and posted bulletins aobut her, calling her vulgar things. She really thought this guy had liked her and he wasnt even real... she never found out he wasnt real. She went up-stairs and hung herself. She had ben struggling with depression since 3rd grade (she was in 8th) and now, THREE months latter, the parents are JUST finding out why she committed suicide.

just to let you no that YES it is socializing because people become emotionally attached to people online.

In forums and mmorpg's u r socializing, so there is no way anyone can say it is not.

I think it is, because you can talk and whatnot, just hope it isn't a pedo!

Personally I don;t believe that you can deepen any relationship through only socializing via the internet. That should be left to an actual person-to-person meeting. Now for the question, yes forums and MMOs are a way of socializing, though now it is getting ridiculous..."Second Life"...and others...