Virtual community facts for kids

A virtual community is a group of people who connect and share things online or through other technology. They might share a hobby, an interest, or even just ideas. These people can live anywhere in the world, but they come together to talk and interact using tools like the Internet, phone calls, or email. The Internet is the most common way they connect.

How People Connect in Virtual Communities

People in virtual communities use different ways to talk and share. Here are some of the main ones:

Using the Internet

The Internet is the most popular way for virtual communities to connect. Here's how:

• Chat rooms: These are like online rooms where people can type messages back and forth in real-time. It's like having a group conversation.
• Email: People send messages to each other's email addresses. It's a good way to share longer messages or files.
• Instant messengers: These apps let you send quick messages to friends or groups instantly. Think of it like texting, but often on a computer.
• Forums (or message boards): These are websites where people post messages about specific topics. Others can read and reply to these messages, creating discussions that can last for days or weeks.
• Social media websites: Sites like Facebook or Instagram let people create profiles, share updates, photos, and videos, and connect with friends or groups who share interests.
• Wikis: A wiki is a website that many people can edit and add information to. Wikipedia is a famous example. Communities can build knowledge together on a wiki.

Using the Telephone

Sometimes, virtual communities use phones to connect:

• Conference calls: This is when more than two people talk on the phone at the same time. It's like a group meeting, but everyone is in a different place.

Using Mail

Even old-fashioned mail can be part of a virtual community:

• Newsletters: Some groups send out regular newsletters by mail to share updates and news with their members.
• Magazines: Similar to newsletters, a magazine can be sent to members to keep them informed and connected to the community's topic.

Images for kids

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  A PLATO V computer terminal in 1981 showing an early online application.

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  An example of an Internet forum.

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  An example of an IRC chat session.

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  A party scene from Second Life, a virtual world.

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  People looking at Facebook at a technology event.

See also

In Spanish: Comunidad virtual para niños