Love in the Time of the Internet

February is the month that invites reflection on love and relationships, but also on online safety in the context of ever-evolving digital opportunities. For it is not all about Valentine’s Day: on February 11th, 2025, we celebrate Safer Internet Day, an initiative launched in 2004 to raise awareness about online safety and encourage individuals, especially children and teenagers, to use the internet responsibly. ??

Looking at these two February celebrations, we might want to ask ourselves: what does love mean or represent today, especially at a time when modern relationships are increasingly intertwined with the digital world, shaping intimacy and trust in complex ways???

Mediated by screens and algorithms, the lines between genuine intimacy and virtual constructions are blurred. How can we ensure safety, trust, and authenticity in a landscape of connections increasingly governed by technology??

Written love affairs?

New generations are redefining the concept of relationships. Today, it is perfectly normal to meet online and, increasingly, to maintain exclusively digital relationships without ever meeting in person. According to an article in Fortune, the decline in sexual activity among young people is a growing trend: many prefer virtual interactions, which provide convenience and control while avoiding the emotional risks associated with offline relationships.??

The preference for “remote” relationships reflects a deeper shift in attitudes toward physical intimacy. Gen Z, for instance, seems to place less emphasis on sex compared to previous generations, as highlighted by The Savanna Post. But what is lost in this transition to online interactions???

The phenomenon of catfishing, frequently portrayed in TV series and documentaries, exemplifies the risks of such relationships. Creating false identities to deceive people undermines trust in digital connections, often with devastating consequences, even when there is no financial gain involved. These episodes raise critical questions about the value of transparency and the impact of digital distance on our ability to build authentic relationships.??

Read the full article by Ester Viola here.?

One second to become a victim??

As sociologist and philosopher Zygmunt Bauman observed, “The most technologically equipped generation in history is also the one most tormented by feelings of insecurity and powerlessness.” This is particularly evident today, as romantic scams and other online frauds are on the rise.??

Data from 2021 show a 100% increase in reported love scam cases compared to the previous year. These scams rely on a combination of regulatory gaps and victim shaming, which often prevents victims from coming forward. Emotional manipulation to extract money from those seeking genuine connections remains one of the most insidious forms of online abuse.??

Teenagers, in particular, face unique challenges. The isolation caused by the pandemic has heightened their confidence in the digital world but left them more vulnerable offline. As Repubblica highlights, many young people struggle to establish offline relationships, influenced by distorted models on social media and a constant sense of inadequacy.??

Five years to get an unfair justice??

While laws exist to protect victims of online fraud, their enforcement is often slow and ineffective. In theory, the judicial system offers adequate tools; in practice, achieving justice can take years. This sluggishness, combined with the shame many victims feel, perpetuates a vicious cycle in which frauds go unpunished.?

Additionally, over information — the relentless flow of news, warnings, and fears — often amplifies anxiety among younger generations, making it even harder to navigate an already complex world. This raises the question: how can we educate and protect the most vulnerable without exacerbating this spiral of insecurity???

Here for the full Bollettino story.?

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Looking to the Future?

“Love” in 2025 has taken on, and will continue to take on, ever-changing meanings. Gender equality and new definitions of gender are evolving rapidly, requiring attentive listening and awareness. In a world where relationships are increasingly digital, trust, transparency, and emotional intelligence must become fundamental pillars for building authentic connections.?

Safer Internet Day reminds us that education and awareness are essential tools not only for protecting data but also for fostering healthier and more respectful relationships. By tackling these issues together, we can envision a future where technology enriches, rather than undermines, our lives and relationships.?