there are lots of pros for online communication as well as a few cons. first of all, email and instant messaging is faster, and cheaper than actual mail. another pro is that it uses no paper, therefore saving the rainforest. it can connect people that are halfway around the world and could not be otherwise reached. a pro is that with less actual mail being sent, there are less jobs for mailmen and that means that there will be layoffs. chat rooms are a good thing because they let people with a common interest communicate with each other in an intelligent setting. on the other hand, you have no way of knowing if these people really are who they claim to be and that could be a possibly dangerous situation.