What do you think of the notion that online community can be empowering/disempowering? week 4

I think the notion is very empowering for some people. The fact that people can control their identity online, the notion of control and also giving the ability for people to manipulate and perhaps pretend to be someone else
However I think one of the most empowering elements in online communities is the ability to be involved in a forum/chatroom of a group of people and having them share the same thoughts, feelings and strong opinions. Therefore the notion of empowerment comes from creating a online community of people that believe and favor the same opinions of that personal user. Its almost like a force that has been created behind a particular thought or belief. Thusfore empowerment comes from people with 'the same common relationships, shared values and shared spaces' pg174.

In terms of disempowering, it could be considered that because anyone can use these online communities it provides people with the opportunity to take your thoughts, opinions and worse because some people (even if encouraged not to) provide personal details on them. Therefore it works both ways, to some it is a very empowering source however to others it is the opportunity to be disempowered.