The arrival of the internet has meant a lot more people have found themselves involved in long distance relationships, faced with all sorts of difficulties, and perhaps wondering if it can ever work.
Every relationship is individual, and the success will depend on the people involved, but there are certain steps that can be taken to make long distance and online relationships easier, safer and more enjoyable.
An important point to remember is that online or long distance relationships will generally become more serious more quickly, often plans for the future are made and commitment is given a lot more quickly than you would with someone you have just met in real life.
However you can never truly know what someone is like until you have met them, it would be wise to leave any commitment until you meet them face to face, that way you know exactly what you are going into.
One of the major problems if you have met someone on the internet, is how to meet up with them.
The most important thing is to make sure it's safe.
Before arranging to meet up try to speak with them on the phone, watch them on webcam if they have one, and also send a letter in the post so you can be sure they do actually live where they say they do.
When you do actually go to meet them, or they come to you, make sure you have someone with you, a friend or family member, and try to meet in a public place.
Once you are in a long distance relationship, whether it be with someone you met online, or with a partner that has had to move away, there are many things to consider.
The first is how often you will see them.
Obviously this will depend on how far apart you are, but also on how much free time and money you have.
It is important to decide on a time that suits both of you, whether it's every 2 weeks, every month or every 6 months.
It is fairest if you take it in turns to visit each other, but if one person works more than the other it may make sense for just one person to do most of the visiting.
Either way make sure you split the cost fairly, or this could cause arguments in the future.
When you are apart there are lots of different ways of communicating with your partner.
It's usually best to vary the methods of communication, sometimes talking online, sometimes on the phone, and sending things in the post too.
When you are apart it's very important to vary things so that the relationship doesn't get boring as you get used to doing the same thing all the time.
Try to think up special things you can do for your partner, whether it's sending a special email or sending a card or present in the post.
Make the most of the time you spend together.
Sometimes it can be all too easy to feel bad because you know you have to leave in a day or two, but try to push this to the back of your mind or else you will waste the time you do get together by being unhappy.
Make the most of the time you spend apart too, don't just spend the whole time waiting until you see them again, talking and sharing things when you are far apart can be enjoyable too and it's all part of the relationship.
One final and important thing to remember is that when you are apart you both need to continue with your own lives as well.
It can be all too tempting to constantly talk to your boyfriend or girlfriend, but the time apart will be much more enjoyable and pass more quickly if you go and do other things, like see your friends.
It may seem ideal to spend every second talking to your partner because that's what you enjoy doing most, but at the end of the day you need to remember the other aspects of your life, because they are just as important.
Long distance relationships can be very hard work, and involve a lot of effort, but done right, and with the right person it can definitely be worth it.
Every relationship is individual, and the success will depend on the people involved, but there are certain steps that can be taken to make long distance and online relationships easier, safer and more enjoyable.
An important point to remember is that online or long distance relationships will generally become more serious more quickly, often plans for the future are made and commitment is given a lot more quickly than you would with someone you have just met in real life.
However you can never truly know what someone is like until you have met them, it would be wise to leave any commitment until you meet them face to face, that way you know exactly what you are going into.
One of the major problems if you have met someone on the internet, is how to meet up with them.
The most important thing is to make sure it's safe.
Before arranging to meet up try to speak with them on the phone, watch them on webcam if they have one, and also send a letter in the post so you can be sure they do actually live where they say they do.
When you do actually go to meet them, or they come to you, make sure you have someone with you, a friend or family member, and try to meet in a public place.
Once you are in a long distance relationship, whether it be with someone you met online, or with a partner that has had to move away, there are many things to consider.
The first is how often you will see them.
Obviously this will depend on how far apart you are, but also on how much free time and money you have.
It is important to decide on a time that suits both of you, whether it's every 2 weeks, every month or every 6 months.
It is fairest if you take it in turns to visit each other, but if one person works more than the other it may make sense for just one person to do most of the visiting.
Either way make sure you split the cost fairly, or this could cause arguments in the future.
When you are apart there are lots of different ways of communicating with your partner.
It's usually best to vary the methods of communication, sometimes talking online, sometimes on the phone, and sending things in the post too.
When you are apart it's very important to vary things so that the relationship doesn't get boring as you get used to doing the same thing all the time.
Try to think up special things you can do for your partner, whether it's sending a special email or sending a card or present in the post.
Make the most of the time you spend together.
Sometimes it can be all too easy to feel bad because you know you have to leave in a day or two, but try to push this to the back of your mind or else you will waste the time you do get together by being unhappy.
Make the most of the time you spend apart too, don't just spend the whole time waiting until you see them again, talking and sharing things when you are far apart can be enjoyable too and it's all part of the relationship.
One final and important thing to remember is that when you are apart you both need to continue with your own lives as well.
It can be all too tempting to constantly talk to your boyfriend or girlfriend, but the time apart will be much more enjoyable and pass more quickly if you go and do other things, like see your friends.
It may seem ideal to spend every second talking to your partner because that's what you enjoy doing most, but at the end of the day you need to remember the other aspects of your life, because they are just as important.
Long distance relationships can be very hard work, and involve a lot of effort, but done right, and with the right person it can definitely be worth it.