Can face to face relationships really be matched by online-organic ones?

In Social Information Processing Theory, online interpersonal relationships are observed, suggesting that online interpersonal relationships can become just as intimate as face to face relationships. I think this is true in some respects, and maybe misleading in others.

The obvious positive of computer-mediated communication (CMC), is that you have time to premeditate your response, allowing for potentially shier individuals to become more comfortable and produce the response they hope to convey in person, but for whatever reason struggle with. The theory suggests that although it may take more time to develop an interpersonal online relationship, the outcome is often the same as one that is built primarily face to face. I tend to agree with this sentiment as I remember back in junior high when everyone used AOL instant messenger, it was much easier to start a friendship by talking over AOL than in person, and over time that allowed for me to be more comfortable when I would see them face to face. 

On the other hand, it created situations where I thought I was better friends with someone than I really was, as there was a screen blocking me from reading nonverbal signs that would suggest someone was not interested in the relationship. The theory argues that while there aren’t nonverbal cues such as smiling, or laughing to judge the authenticity of someone’s response, the time elapsed between messages acts as a separate non-verbal cue exclusive to CMC. I agree this is a nonverbal cue, however the meaning of that cue is much less transparent than when someone laughs when you flirt with them. A delayed response can mean a multitude of things; they could be playing hard to get, they could be busy, or they could be not interested. Face to face nonverbal cues, in my opinion, are more easily readable, and therefore more reliable in judging the stage of the relationship.

Where I tend to disagree most is that a pure CMC relationship can become as intimate as a face to face relationship. From my perspective, intimacy requires feeling; I think CMC relationships can build to an extent where you would be comfortable in person moving forward, but if there’s no in-person interaction at all, the relationship cannot take the next step in terms of achieving true intimacy.

PS: One other potential problem with purely online relationships; honesty can be a bit of an issue...