People are increasingly turning to computer-mediated platforms to seek support from others. Online social support, therefore, is the process by which individuals who are experiencing challenges receive comforting words or gestures from others on the Internet. The goal of social support is to uplift someone in need and reduce his or her stress. Research has shown that in addition to aiding in recovery from diseases and addiction, online social support can also have a positive impact on a person’s quality of life as a whole.

Types of Online Social Support

The two main types of online social support are informational support and socioemotional support. Informational support is focused on offering specific, helpful ideas or suggestions that pertain to particular situations. An example of informational support is ...

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