Pros and cons of online support groups

Online support groups offer benefits and risks due to the online format. It's important to think about these factors before joining an online group.

Online groups can have benefits such as:

• More-frequent or more-flexible ways to take part in groups.
• Chances to join virtual groups for people who may not have local in-person support groups.
• A level of privacy or namelessness, called anonymity, depending on the type of online group.
• Chances to join in groups by video in web video conferences, depending on the group.

Online support groups can have risks, such as the following:

• People in online groups may be more likely to share false information. Or people sharing too much can lead to information overload.
• A trained health professional may not always lead online support groups.
• People joining groups online may lead to them being isolated from other friends or family.
• Discussions only in written text can lead to issues with understanding or confusion among group members.
• People may use the online environment to prey on others, invade privacy of group members, sell a product or commit fraud.
• Being nameless, called anonymous, in the group may lead to comments or behaviors that are rude or not proper.