"I" & "It" of socialnetworking

  The thought that the use of socialnetworking changes the people that we communicate with online changes them from a "You" to an "It" is disturbing. I can understand that this is the case, though. You receive posts from friends and family and are appalled by what they post. The posts are not how you would talk in front of family or friends. I have seen "dirty laundry" aired to hundreds that should be kept private. The question that I have asked my daughter, offline, is "Is this how you would talk in front of your grandparents and other family members?" This whole example shows me that the people you have "friended" are really its. This is the way you would talk to an object.
  The Second World site and story I find interesting but disturbing. The part I find interesting is the site and concept of Second World and such sites. It is more about the graphics and how you are able to manuver though this "world". It is interesting that your aviatar can communicate with other people's aviatars. A person can develop a character to anything or type of person that they choose. But the part that I find disturbing is that people get so involved. These sites are make believe but they insert their personal lives. I realize that when you develop a character, whether online or in writing, there is going to be a piece of yourself in that character because that is what you know. The example of the man with the aviatar that had a "whole other life" that included a wife is sad. If he chose a relationship with a female avaitar. The question is- Did he consider developing a freindship with a male character? I think it is a case of he was afraid to have an actual affair because of the reprecussions. If you change yourself to an "It" then that becomes okay. This, in the end, is no different then people that find penpals online and deveop relationships with them. This is considered and emotional  so the avaitar is one too. Then yes, the "I" becomes "It" and "You" also becomes "It".