Technology Boosts "Staring" Accessibility

While reading "Staring at the Other" article I cannot agree more upon the fact that modern technology has changed the ways people "look" at one another. Staring at someone in public is deemed as rude and impolite. But when you stare at people through the internet, photos, t.v, films, etc, aka virtual staring, its not as rude and impolite anymore. The reason for that is because it is not face-to-face therefore the one being stared wouldn't have the same awful feeling if they were to be stared at out in public. Also the starer wouldn't have to experience any confrontation if they were busted for staring. How do you feel about "virtual staring"? More specifically, do you think that that has brought our society in a positive or negative direction? &Why?