My understanding of the term 'silent treatment as a punishment,' is that whether it be online or real life it will be for a pre-determined length of time, which will be communicated to the sub by the Dominant, along with the reason for the punishment. It would not be abandonment to my mind, as it is a result of something the sub has done and he/she would know that.

If a relationship is important to the sub removal of communication from the Dominant online would be something a sub would find unpleasant, and would focus his or her mind on the infraction, and certainly would make them think twice about committing the same offence again.

In a real time relationship the silent treatment would work in a similar way.

So I guess the answer is for me I would hate the silent treatment, and I feel it's an effective punishment.