CyberspaceComputers and CyberspaceWhen does reality end and cyberspace begin? Can crimes committed in cyberspace be punished in reality? Can a “cyberrelationship” have the same rules as a real relationship? Fundamentally, is cyberspace part of normal life or is it a world of our own making with ever-changing and shifting norms? Often, people comment that they focus so much on something that it becomes a part of their life, an extension of them. I think the same can be said of cyberspace. Reality is what you create, and that can even include the universe you see on your computer screen. The cyber world is a society just as the external world in which we live is a society. As the ways of accessing this world increase, the two worlds are beginning to overlap and some would even say collide. Some have become so trapped in this separate existence with instant messaging, email, chat rooms and bulletin boards, that the Internet has seemingly replaced haunts, night clubs, bars and meetings as the number one social gathering place. More people are connected to this world than you will ever meet in a club, so why leave your house, this is the best way to meet people. However, it is unfortunate that this also involves distancing yourself from the reality that surrounds you at the moment. Many ignore priorities like family, friends, and even work to be part of cyberspace. For some it has almost become a form of addiction. Should crimes committed in cyberspace be grounds for punishment here in the real outside world? Well, I think it depends on the level of crime. If you were to threaten someone online, you should get a ban from that place, but not be arrested. If you were to continue that activity, then it will be assessed, but for a first time offender, a warning or severe ban is harsh enough. The thought of missing out on that experience again is enough to stop most. The most serious and unique offenders, such as pedophiles who place child pornography on the Internet or try to lure children into chat rooms, should be prosecuted to the same extent as those we find in normal society. The same can be said for online embezzlers and hackers: breaking into a company's front door is no different than robbing it online..