For further signs of how the web is changing the way we interact and communicate, take a look at two stories, side by side on the front page of the New York Times (Nov 27 08 edition). One tragic, the other hopeful. Both are about how we connect online and how those connections can impact lives.

The first is the tragic story of the woman convicted of cyber bullying her teen daughter’s rival. The girl was lured into a relationship with a fictional boy created by the mother. It ended in suicide. In a landmark ruling, the judge convicted the woman of three charges of computer fraud.

The second story, focuses on how relatives thousands of miles apart can keep in touch via web video. “Video calling, long anticipated by science fiction, is filtering into everyday use. And two demographic groups not particularly known for being high-tech are among the earliest adopters.” The story tracks grandparents who are able to see and interact with their grandchildren via webcams.

The connection may be virtual but the impact is real. What next?