Let's talk about me, me, me: Self-disclosure on the internet

Sometimes it is easier to tell the truth to strangers than to close friends or family. In fact, quite often people go to extreme lengths to hide information from those close to them, while simultaneously con®ding in strangers. This is what psychologists refer to as the `stranger-on-the-train phenomenon' (discussed in more detail in Chapter 3). In this chapter, we look at selfdisclosure on the Internet ± what it is and how it is measured, how being online in¯uences it and the possible implications for people's well-being.