Transitioning from Real-World to Online Communities
We are all part of many real-life communities due to our day-to-day interactions, that we may be active participants and leaders in or may not even acknowledge readily. Our physical communities are those which we spend most of our time in, such as home, our work, school or our hobbies. Our degree of interaction within these communities can vary according to how much time we have or even our general interest in the group. Transitioning from Real-world to Online Communities
Although the definitions of ‘Community’ are broad and vary, they all share several key elements. Communities are groups of people with common interests, and aspirations, that are often working towards similar goals. Whom comprises a group is totally dependent on the specific community, but the possibilities are endless!
In my own life, I seldom feel the confidence to interact face to face. Yet, I am very willing to offer advice and communicate through online platforms that have created a safe place for me. That is why I feel these communities serve a purpose and are crucial spaces. From giving detail specific instructions on how to complete a hair + makeup look to relationship advice, I often gab on the internet. I am sure that people I interact with in real life wouldn’t believe I could be so ‘talkative’.
Keeping our physical communities in mind, we can apply characteristics of these interactions to our online lives as well. A physical community, or better yet a ‘face to face’ community is often motivated to create a safe space for its members. There are rules and regulations by which members must abide, in the physical world these are laws and moral guidelines. The group works to enforce these by maintaining order themselves and ultimately relying on the local authority.
In online spaces, moderators serve to police the community while heavily relying on the integrity of its members. More so as Fabian Pfortmuller states in his informative article “From Me to We — the shift in behavior I see in powerful communities”…that people within communities feel inclined to keep the peace as follows “I help people in this group, because I love this group and because I feel so connected to the people in it. I help because I want to and I don’t expect something in return”. Creating a group mentality and emphasizing the greater good encourages positivity amongst members. If members feel they can get something positive out of there interactions, they are all the more encouraged to protect their group.
Working towards the greater good is what keeps all communities safe and positive if we apply real-world theories to online communities we can create similar outcomes. I believe that putting the spotlight on positive members of the community can encourage others to rise up to the task. Similar to how workplaces and schools acknowledge those going above and beyond via mentions, online communities can do so to promote positivity amongst members.
Just as real-life communities band together in times of need, or cooperate to help those in need. Online communities can open the conversation to members who are having difficulties, whether they be simple. Such as trouble understanding a concept, or personal problems which could be affecting their individual lives. Communities that allow for open discussion that is not necessarily strictly based on the ‘theme’ can open themselves up to bond members. This would also aid in establishing a ‘we’ mentality, as the community embraces each other in times of need.
Creating online communities that mirror real-life aspects of functioning situations is a great plan. By instituting authority, members know there are consequences for poor actions and may refrain from that. By encouraging positivity, online groups will lend themselves to more positive interactions. Lastly, I believe these groups would fare well by opening up discussions to include aiding members who are going through a tough time. Online communities server to expand our interpersonal interactions to a wider range of people.
