Title: Web-based youth communities in the light of cyberspace psychology

Authors: Eugenia Kovatcheva, Piet Kommers

Addresses: Sofia University, Bulgaria. ' University of Twente, Faculty of Behavioural Sciences, Division of Educational Instrumentation, P.O. Box 217, 7500 AE Enschede, The Netherlands

Abstract: The internet new media creates new types of communities – online or web-based communities in virtual reality. Everyone, to a certain degree, is involved in building and creating online communities. The main aim of this study is to make an overview of cyberspace technology and to extrapolate the influence of computers, technology and virtual environments on the psychology of Bulgarian students (individuals and groups). This study is focused on the chief features of web-based life in web-based communities. Web-based youth communities are capable of mirroring the behaviour of people in virtual reality.

Keywords: web-based youth communities; cyberspace psychology; identity; group formation; web-based communities; Bulgaria.

DOI: 10.1504/IJWBC.2004.004798

International Journal of Web Based Communities, 2004 Vol.1 No.1, pp.46 - 57

Published online: 07 Jul 2004 *

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