Online services are any tools or resources that users are able to connect to via the internet. This could range from a social media platform to an online banking service to an online store.
Many online services are free for users. However, there are a number of paid for services that users can access like e-mail, internet banking and data storage. Some of these services can be complex, while others are quite simple. Anyone can easily send or receive emails with photos or documents by accessing their Gmail account. Skype, on the other side, is an advanced online communication platform that allows audio and video calls.
Online services are utilized by consumers for many reasons. For instance, they may shop on websites for products that would be difficult or impossible to locate in retail stores. They can access information and resources on the internet that aren’t available in their region such as unbiased sexual education or the best place to seek abortion treatment if they’re thinking about ending an unplanned pregnancy. Online services let them keep in contact with family members and friends who live far away from home.
Despite their advantages however, not every online service can be considered equally valuable. For instance the structured online treatment programs have been shown to decrease adolescent depression as well as anxiety, however they tend to have poor uptake and high rates of dropout. Unstructured mental-health sites, however have a higher rate of use and appear to facilitate adolescents’ need for help.
