Pros and cons of online support groups

Online support groups offer benefits and risks that are particular to that format. It's important to consider these factors before joining an online group.

Benefits of online groups include:

• More frequent or flexible participation
• Opportunities for people who may not have local face-to-face support groups
• A degree of privacy or anonymity

Risks of online support groups include the following:

• Communication only by written text can lead to misunderstanding or confusion among group members.
• Anonymity may lead to inappropriate or disrespectful comments or behaviors.
• Participation online may result in isolation from other friends or family.
• Online communities may be particularly susceptible to misinformation or information overload.
• People may use the online environment to prey on people, promote a product or commit fraud.