In all of my previous blogs regarding FtF (Face to Face) interaction and CMC (Computer Mediated Communication), I have heavily favored using FtF interactions more often because of the personal nature associated with having and actual conversation with someone. In this blog though, I will be examining OSSGs (Online Social Support Groups) and their role in CMC. OSSGs are online discussion where members can seek different kinds of advice such as informational support, instrumental advice, and most importantly emotional support.
Informational support, such as Santa Clara University's website, or instrumental advice, such as medical assistance on WebMD, are both very convenient ways to find information on the Internet instead of having to call the university or go to the doctor. More importantly than these types of advice or assistance that OSSG's provide is the emotional support many people use these discussions for. I believe that the best way to solve a problem is through confrontation and FtF interactions, but unfortunately there are many barriers that could hinder a person from fully expressing himself or herself to a peer or family member. Some of these factors include physical disabilities (such as being mute or deaf) or gender and sexuality norms. Even though it is a terrible realization, some people aren't taken seriously because their sexuality, race, or gender and therefore must use the anonymity of text-based OSSGs to fully express an opinion. You always hear the expression "think before you talk," but many people do not follow this advice and can usually say the wrong thing at the wrong time. Having time to fully formulate an idea on “paper" first, gives you all of the time in the world to say exactly what you want to say. This is especially important when the issues at hand are related to someone’s emotional well-being. On the other hand, if someone you know is having an emotional problem that you do not know how to handle, it would be wise to go to an OSSG and ask someone who is having a similar problem about what he or she is going through. This way you can be prepared to help someone through his or her emotional crisis.
Problems arise when people being to take advantage of emotionally unstable people online. Cyber bullying is becoming one of the bigger problems of our new media generation. It is one thing to have the balls to harass someone FtF (which is still wrong), but when cowardly and immature Internet users are bored it becomes too easy to anonymously harass someone on an OSSG. The problem these days is the convenience of the Internet. Everything becomes so much easier to do that extra leisure time is created and not everyone is spending that time appropriately. Cyber bullying can and has affected others in negative ways that the instigator cannot even begin to imagine. When using OSSGs it is important to be able to filter out the appropriate from the inappropriate, and even though some cowardly outsider has an ignorant opinion, ultimately ones own perception of his or her self is most important.