A virtual community – also known as an online community, social network, e-community or online network – is a group of people who have come together to interact online using blogs, audio, video, voip services such as skype, instant messaging (Windows live), forums and other forms of online communication more commonly known as web 2.0
The term virtual community is attributed to the book of the same title by Howard Rheingold, published in 1993.
The main identifying factors that constitute a virtual community include
- Interaction takes place online from the members home computer/laptop
- People who have come together do so because they share the same professional, educational, charitable, community based,
campaigning or similar purpose . - They may serve as a secondary mode of communication for people who meet offline – e.g. networking groups, mastermind groups
- Members can be part of a local community or can include worldwide participation
Thanks to web 2.0 and the advent of social networks like Myspace and Facebook the way we communicate, advertise and express our thoughts/opinions have changed. Everyone has a voice no matter where they are in the world as long as they have a computer and the internet.
Complete strangers come together because they have a passion for a particular cause, connect and begin to build relationships.
Examples of virtual communities
- Football teams who run a blog and/or forum to reach out to other supporters and keep everyone in touch with what’s happening with their team.
- Social networks that bring together a complete community (e.g. Caribbean community, dancing community, faith based community etc) and allow each member to connect and express themselves and share stories.
- Groups that are set up on popular social networks like Myspace that people can join and connect.
- Fan pages and business pages on Facebook where people who love a particular product, company or person can show their support by joining the fan page.
Significant socio-technological changes have come about as a direct result of the impact of virtual communities. Governments and public sector bodies can no longer afford to ignore what is taking place. Websites are no longer a sufficient medium for participation and involvement.
To be successful a virtual community is heavily dependent on its members to not only remain active but to also invite new members.
If all members accept their responsibility in helping a network grow then it flourishes and grows. Networks depend heavily on an unwritten social contract between members and the biggest contributor of any network – especially at the beginning – must be the network owner.
Viritual communities may have started as a craze of the young adult and teen but has now been recognised as an important trend for businesses as more and more of them take advantage of the opportunity to advertise their brand for free! You will find Dell computers on Twitter, future presidents on Facebook and politicians on Mashable!
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