With the ability to communicate with people worldwide (in terms of email, bulletin boards and chat rooms) in an easy, open and inexpensive manner; the Internet draws its users in growing numbers and hence an increase in the volume of subject material made available on the Web (Allan 2000. Sv "Cybersocieties"). .
By definition, the Internet is viewed as an interactive medium . Hence the emergence of a cyber-community, which in effect appears to live in the 'online' space of the Internet unlike that of the physical space presented by reality (Allan 2000. Sv "Cybersocieties"). As Beniger notes: "Cyberspace does not merely consist of material objects (such as the computer, modem or telephone line) but also has two major non-material components: relationships among the individuals and the cybercultural aspects of their head (1996: 9). Simply put, the technology cannot exist as a cultural phenomenon in itself - it requires the input of those who utilize it (Allan 2000. Sv "Cybersocieties"). In so doing, a third culture has emerged, which finds its roots in technology. Though aided by art and science, Kelly argues that if the purpose of science is to pursue the truth of the universe and the aim of art is to express the human condition - the aim of the third culture is to pursue novelty. "New", "improved" and "different" are the key attributes for this culture, with the focus being on experience, rather than expression - even if it involves remaining anonymous - which is characteristic of the Internet (Kelly 1998. Sv " The Third Culture"). .
The sense of reality or 'space' found in these cybercommunities is often referred to as a virtual space. Virtual Reality is a difficult and misleading concept to understand, as it is often associated with Gibson's visionary definition, rather than the realistic borders it is confined to. Technically speaking, the term Virtual Reality is commonly used to refer to systems that offer users visual, auditory and tactile information about an environment which exists as data in a computer system rather than as physical objects or location (Heim 1993.