The Internet provides a lot more than just information. It is an opportunity to connect with people all over the world and share your thoughts and ideas about common interests. Internet Groups are one of the many ways you can connect to others online.
Let’s take a look at how they work.
Now that you’ve seen how groups work, you’re ready to start building your online community. Our guide to Searching Groups can help you connect with like-minded individuals from all across the globe. If you can’t find a group focusing on your interests, you can also Start Your Own Newsgroup.
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Frequently Asked Questions
I’ve found a newsgroup. How do I communicate with them?
Most groups will require you to register in order to post messages to the community. In some cases, you may be able to read community messages without registering, but not always. Once you sign up, you should be able to interact with the community directly from their website, or you may want to use special software to read and post messages. You can learn more about interacting with groups in our guides to Subscribing to Groups and Reading Posts and Posting Messages to Groups.
Social media has become the go-to place for meeting people online, and in some ways provides a good alternative to newsgroups and forums. Many social networks, including Facebook, allow users to set up their own groups, which act similar to traditional newsgroups. Other services, such as Twitter, allow users to connect with others through the use of specialized labels in their posts, such as hashtags. To learn more about networking online, see our Social Network page.
Are online groups safe?
Online groups are perfectly safe, provided you are careful about the information you share. Never share any personal information online, no matter how much you trust the members of your group. If you plan on meeting group members in person, bring someone else along and meet in a public place. If anyone on a group asks you for personal information, photos, money, or your address, don’t give it to them. You may also want to report that person to the group administrator, as they may be phishing for information. Online groups should be fun and informative, and they are, so long as you protect yourself. You can learn more about safe online behaviors in our Stay Safe guide.