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Internet Culture

Why some online communities thrive while others implode

Don’t underestimate the power of moderation.

Photo of Matt Silverman

Matt Silverman

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Online communities (sometimes the only communities we have during a pandemic) can be magical places. Friendships forged, insights shared, and fun had by all.

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They can also become toxic, shouty cesspools. Why do some succeed while others devolve into chaos?

This week on 2 GIRLS 1 PODCAST, Alli and Jen talk with Anika Gupta, a journalist who studied online community structures for her book How to Handle a Crowd: The Art of Creating Healthy and Dynamic Online Communities.

Gupta shares the key to healthy moderation, the social norms of different platforms, why scale makes things complicated, and what online platforms can do to help communities thrive and protect vulnerable members.

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Listen to episode 144 of #2G1P here:

Or subscribe on Apple PodcastsStitcherSpotify, or wherever you get your favorite podcasts!

 
The Daily Dot