Discussion boards are not all happy places, however. On almost any board you find, there are people who are looking for trouble. These are commonly called trolls. Trolls go from board to board trying to stir up trouble just for the sake of doing so. They may go onto a board for that sole purpose and nothing more. Trolls and other troublemakers will even target discussion boards you may think are tame, like one for The Wiggles or other children’s shows. Many have found discussion boards as places to swindle others, so use care in your communications.
The Internet has made the world a smaller place in many amazing ways. Information from all over the world is shared at lightning speed, and people have formed friendships that may not have been possible otherwise. Both email and discussion boards are great tools that have helped people get together.
You can find discussion boards online that are geared towards almost any subject you may be interested in. You can find boards for mothers to share parenting advice and struggles. You can find support if you are going through a divorce, or if someone you know has a frightening medical condition. There are many discussion boards that are for fans of almost any celebrity you can name.
Many have official sites with boards, and there are many unofficial sites for fans to gather as well. If you are looking for something specific, discussion boards are a great place to look. You may find a great recipe for blueberry pie, or real life moms who can help you find a way to get your child to sleep at night. Some people use discussion boards to network, look for job leads, and the latest news about their chosen careers.
One parenting board I used to frequent had one particular woman who was a long-standing member. Her life seemed to be full of drama, and she continually talked about leaving her husband, and how horrible her life was. She gained a lot of sympathy from many of the board members, and many felt they needed to watch over her. What happened next is a common story on some discussion boards.
This particular woman faked an illness. She told everyone she had had a stroke and needed help. Many people sent her flowers, and even worse, they sent her large sums of money. In the end, someone did not quite believe her story, and had her checked out. She was, in reality, as healthy as a horse, and using the money sent to her for personal pleasure.
This is a common story, but do not let it scare you away from forming friendships on discussion boards. Just remember to use common sense when dealing with folks you do not know, and remember that not everything you read is real. Use the same instincts you use in real life, and you should be able to tell the difference between a fraud and a real person with real problems.
