Online services refer to any tools and resources that people access via the internet. It could be anything from social networking platforms to an online bank service, or even an ecommerce site.
Many websites are free to users. There are also paid services, such as online banking, e-mail and data storage. Some of these services may be complex, while others are straightforward. One can easily send or receive emails that contain photographs or documents by login to their Gmail account. Skype, on the other on the other hand, is an advanced online communications service that lets you make video and audio calls.
People use online services for many reasons. Online stores allow customers to purchase products that are hard to find in shops. They can access information and resources on the internet that are not readily available in their locale, such as unbiased sexual education or the best place to seek abortion services if they’re thinking of ending a pregnancy. Online services allow them to keep contact with family and friends who live far away from home.
However, despite these benefits, not all online services are equally effective. For example, structured online treatment programs for instance have been proven to reduce anxiety and depression in adolescents, but they are often poorly adopted and have high dropout rates. Unstructured mental health websites however have a higher rate of use and seem to aid young people’s help-seeking.