Letter: Use social networks wisely

“Hey, I found love through online matchmaking website.” That’s what I thought when I read the article about internet romance and online crime in The Jakarta Post on Tuesday (Jan. 4).

Meeting the right someone, whether online or face to face, is a gamble. We will never know the truth about our partners until they are willing to tell us the truth, and that will only happen when they trust us.
So building trust is the key, though it’s the hardest thing to do, especially when we have a long distance relationship.

Social networks, such as Facebook and Twitter are some of many places where people look for someone special. If we use the sites responsibly and soberly as mature adults, I think everything will fall into place.

Why are most of the victims of online crime teenagers and young adults? Is it because they believe what they hear so easily? It is parents’ responsibility to teach children how to get, process, and react to information they get from others, whether friends or strangers.

For example they should be told not to instantly believe what others tell them — and to involve friends or family on what they up to and decide that home is the best place to meet someone for the first time.

They’ll learn by doing and watching. They’ll learn from experience.

I’ve been having a long distance relationship with a foreigner for four years now: a very warm, respectful and joyous relationship.

 We try to see each other at least twice a year (sometimes we think it’s not enough), and maintain good communication with each other and the other’s family.

Love happens, no matter how, when we are ready to take the responsibility.

Vanda
West Java