The importance of online communities
BY AVA RAUSCH WITH ART BY ALEX KOZAK
Ever since the Covid-19 pandemic, there’s been a boom in online communities, most notably Reddit, one of the most prominent hubs for online communities.
Reddit is an online network composed of different communities where users can dive into their common or obscure hobbies and interests, ask questions and receive answers from other users. You can curate your feed by following different threads, inputting some of your interests/hobbies and liking different posts. The more you interact with other users and threads, the more accurate your feed will be. It can feel overwhelming trying to find your niche, but exploring your interests and finding a community where you belong will be rewarding.
One of the most attractive features of the website is anonymity. I have asked some of the most personal questions in forums and not only have I gotten useful answers, the responses seem genuine. While not everything you read on the website is true, or the advice you receive may not come from professionals, it allows for another perspective on a subject you might not be familiar with.
Your username is randomly generated when you create an account and most Q&A threads require users to remain anonymous. Additionally admin can monitor the communities to ensure the platform remains positive and respectful. It’s important to make sure you aren’t sharing important personal information on the internet.
There is no shame in asking a question on an online public forum or connecting with others who share similar interests. Our society is based on social interactions whether in-person or online and it’s important to use any resources we can to foster communication on important societal issues or silly conversations. Online communities provide us with a safety net while creating interpersonal connections.