Discussion forums, present on many sites since the beginnings of the Internet, are open to everyone and everyone can remain anonymous. These are the reasons why these places of virtual exchanges are still as popular with Internet users in search of various information and who do not wish to be displayed.
Forum followers help their loved ones more
A British study found another reason that pushes followers to come assiduously to the forums: the welfare which emerges from them after having gone there. Once disconnected, they would also share more with their loved ones. They would also be more active on a daily basis and more often volunteer to help others.
“Our results paint a more optimistic picture of good old online discussion forums,” comments study author Dr. Louise Pendry of the University of Exeter (UK). Because discussion forums are unfortunately well known for generating controversy, anger or even insults.
Links between users develop on the forums
To show that discussion spaces on the Internet are not harmful, the research team interviewed 273 forum followers, aged 18 to 67, 73% of whom were men. The themes that most interested the participants dealt with mental health problems, environmental issues and their sports activities.
Their motivations for taking part in online discussions? The most active users developed close ties with other Internet users. Reason that motivated them to come back and brought them complete satisfaction.
Presence on forums: benefits for society
Another finding: forum enthusiasts are more likely to take part in activities outside the Web, related to their discussions. The scientist notes activities such as volunteeringbut also participation in awareness-raising and donations.
The more Internet users participate in forums, the more the returns multiply. And above all, the more the benefits are significant for society and for the followers of online discussions.
For ten years, the social networks however, have eclipsed these discussion spaces. In Great Britain and the United States, they are respectively visited by only 10% and 20% of Internet users.
What if we got back to it?!
Read also :
– New: Top Santé launches its health forum!
– The French exchange health advice on discussion forums
