Truth Lies and Trust on the Internet

<p>The Internet is often presented as an unsafe or untrustworthy space: where children are preyed upon by paedophiles cannibals seek out victims offline relationships are torn apart by online affairs and where individuals are addicted to gambling love and cybersex. </p><p>While many of these stories are grounded in truth they do paint a rather sensationalized view of the Internet the types of people who use it and the interactions that take place online. Simultaneously researchers claim that the Internet allows individuals to express their true selves to develop 'hyperpersonal' relationships characterised by high levels of intimacy and closeness. At the heart of these competing visions of the Internet as a social space are the issues of truth lies and trust. </p><p>This book offers a balanced view of the Internet by presenting empirical data conducted by social scientists with a concentrated focus on psychological studies. It argues that the Internet’s anonymity which can enable for instance high levels of self-disclosure in a relationship is also responsible for many of its more negative outcomes such as deception and flaming. This is the first book to develop a coherent model of the truth-lies paradox with specific reference to the critical role of trust. </p><p><em>Truth Lies and Trust on the Internet</em> is a useful text for psychology students and academics interested in Internet behaviour technology and online deviant behaviour and related courses in sociology media studies and information studies.</p>