Some researchers are beginning to think so. At the August 1997 convention of the American Psychological Association he presented some naturalistic research on email support groups, how they form, and the dynamics of online helping behavior. John Suler has written a hypertext book on The Psychology of Cyberspace . He explores aspects of online communication in a comprehensive way. Typing on your own computer doesn't feel like a social situation.
Physical attractiveness is also less important online.
This can lead to increased online flirting in otherwise platonic relationships. Gender switching and pseudonyms are fairly common. Online chat rooms are full of people who are identified only by a nickname. On the Internet you can pretend to be anyone or anything you want to be. An analogy might be a Halloween costume party.