The Pros And Cons Of Video Chat

Video chat with people you meet online can seem like a good alternative in situations where you don't have friends and family around to talk to. If you do have friends and family around, maybe you feel embarrassed about what you are going through or feel like nobody will understand. Maybe you are new to an area and have not connected with anyone there. Maybe you are introverted and find it hard to reach out to people. Perhaps you are very busy and find little time for social experiences. Whatever your situation, you may find that the computer is the easiest and quickest place to reach out for a social experience or to find someone to talk to about your situation.

The internet has provided a solution to this problem for years with social media, forums, and chat rooms. People have shown great interest in using the internet to meet and connect with others. Now, in addition to text chat with people from around the world, many platforms also allow you to  that you meet on the internet, allowing you to see the person you are talking to and make a better connection in this way.

With video chat, you may find people that you really click with, some strange and intriguing acquaintances, some folks that you don't relate to, and those simply looking to flirt. You might have to meet many people before you find someone you feel comfortable talking to. This can be frustrating, and some people may settle for talking to someone that makes them uncomfortable.

The Pros And Cons Of Video Chat 

If video chat is something that you have done or are thinking about, these are some things you might want to consider first.

Pros

• Meet new people from around the world

• Get to know people with similar interests as you

• Video chat is a convenient way to connect with people

• Compared to chat rooms, you can usually see the person when you video chat, so you know that they are probably telling the truth about things like their age and gender

• You are able to connect with people at convenient times

• You can maintain a distance while being close at the same time

• You can assess someone online prior to an in-person meeting

Cons

• Even though you can see them, you still don't know people's motives online or if they are telling the truth about things

• People you meet and form relationships with online can just disappear after a while

• People can appear different online than they do in person since there is not a real physical presence

• True intimacy and connection are often exaggerated online, and a lot of projection and false sense of closeness can occur

• You cannot actually observe the behaviors of the person and have that close physical connection that occurs in a real life, where you can observe them and their actions

• A person may appear "together" for a while, but in the end, they may revert to their true self. Artificial and temporary closeness may occur.

Alternatives To Choosing Random Video Chat Forums 

1. Mental Health Chat Rooms

There are various mental health chat rooms on the internet that don’t use video but provide social support for people living with various mental illnesses. If you experience anxiety, depression, eating disorders, OCD, or other mental health disorders, you can find supportive people online who have experienced and survived what you are still going through. While these platforms and other platforms are useful for many, remember that the users are not professionals; their feedback may be biased, and they may not be able to separate their issues from yours. 

2. Meet Up Room

These are places where you can find people with common interests that may want to join local groups that engage in activities related to those interests. 

3. Social Dating Sites

Dating sites can provide a means to connect with people online that are looking for a partner or friend. Some of these sites are free; others charge a fee. While the rate of real-life success at making a long-term connection is not clear, it is an option that people have to make a connection with others online while maintaining their mental health.

4. Online Counseling

If you are a person who is chatting in an attempt to deal with personal issues that are troubling you, you might consider counseling. Dealing with vulnerable issues with unprofessional strangers, even if you feel safe, can result in you being hurt or disappointed. One safer alternative that allows you to connect to someone who will care and sympathize with your current life situation is online counseling.

There are an increasingly large number of studies showing that online therapy platforms—and specifically those that provide video chat services—can provide effective mental health care to those experiencing an array of issues. In a comprehensive review published by Oxford University Press, researchers evaluated the efficacy of therapy delivered via videoconferencing. 

The report states that video-enabled therapy platforms provide increased accessibility by reducing certain limitations of in-person therapy, including cost, distance issues, and concerns with stigma. Researchers also noted that online therapy can prevent symptoms from being exacerbated due to the stress of commuting to a mental health provider.

With BetterHelp, you’ll have the option of utilizing videoconferencing, in addition to messaging, live chat, and voice call—no more dealing with traffic, sitting in a waiting room, or missing work just to make an appointment. The qualified mental health professionals at BetterHelp know how to utilize video chat to create a stronger connection with you during therapy. Read below for counselor reviews, from those who have sought help in the past.

Counselor Reviews

“Working with Alex for these last few months has been amazing! She is understanding, insightful and funny. I am so grateful I am on this journey with her. I feel safe and supported and my weekly video chats are everything! Since I started working with her, I feel more centered and have developed healthier habits.” 

“I have greatly enjoyed working with Jason. We have met regularly via virtual video meetings over the past several months, and he has been incredible in helping me to address my stress at work, life, and everything in between, in the midst of a global pandemic. He is very adept at listening, identifying underlying thought processes, discussing issues, and working towards productive solutions. I always look forward to meeting with him, and I would highly recommend Jason to anyone and everyone!”

Conclusion

As you can see, there are a lot of pros and cons to video chat with people online. Many people do it and meet great people with whom they connect and who help them get through hard times in life. It can help you make new friends that are around for the long term.

However, you should keep in mind that there are always trolls and people looking to victimize other people who seem vulnerable online. This can be done via mind games or scams, so be careful who you video chat with. If you find that you are having to clarify a lot of information, you should be suspicious. If someone is trying to scam you, they will always be able to "explain" things.

There is no shame in asking for help when you need it. A lot of times we feel like we are experiencing certain things alone but there are others who care and understand your struggle. Reaching out to a counselor or joining a mental health chat group are a few safer alternatives to video chat with random people. Also, for social interaction, you might want to check for local interest groups that seem to connect with you. In any event, be careful. By curating your experience, you may just find a connection that lasts.