Online Prosocial Behavior and Altruism Across the Lifespan – Volume II

This Research Topic is the second volume of Research Topic "Online Prosocial Behavior and Altruism in Adolescence and Youth." Please, see the first volume here. In recent decades, research on digital contexts has grown exponentially, focusing mainly on the uses, risks, and negative behaviors associated with the Internet and social media. A considerable body of literature has examined online aggression, hate speech, and antisocial behavior, particularly during adolescence and youth. However, far less attention has been paid to online altruism and online prosocial behavior across different stages of the lifespan, despite their relevance for individual well-being, social cohesion, and the development of healthy digital environments.In an era increasingly shaped by algorithmic curation, artificial intelligence, and platformized social interaction, understanding positive online behaviors is more critical than ever for fostering sustainable and inclusive digital societies.Online prosocial behavior (OPB) refers to voluntary behaviors carried out in digital contexts with the intention of benefiting others or promoting positive and harmonious social relationships online. These behaviors may include sharing resources or information, providing emotional support, comforting others, offering help, expressing appreciation, using positive or kind language, or engaging in low-cost prosocial actions such as liking or endorsing others’ content.From a social psychological perspective, online altruism involves an additional nuance. It refers to voluntary actions performed in virtual environments that entail a personal cost and are primarily motivated by concern for others, without the expectation of external rewards. This distinction is particularly relevant in contemporary digital ecosystems, where visibility, reputation metrics (e.g., likes, followers), and monetization opportunities may blur the boundaries between genuine altruism and strategic prosociality.From a lifespan perspective, online prosocial behavior is not static but evolves across developmental stages. It is shaped by cognitive, emotional, social, and contextual changes, as well as by individuals’ digital socialization and life experiences. Moreover, generational differences in digital literacy, platform use, and exposure to emerging technologies (e.g., AI-driven interactions, virtual and augmented reality environments) may further influence how prosociality is expressed and perceived online.The motivations, forms, and consequences of engaging in online prosocial and altruistic behaviors may therefore differ substantially between adolescents, emerging adults, adults, and older adults, as well as across genders, cultures, and digital contexts.The aim of this Research Topic is to advance understanding of the psychosocial determinants, developmental trajectories, and social implications of online altruism and prosocial behavior across the lifespan. We seek to capture, describe, and analyze how psychological characteristics (e.g., empathy, moral reasoning, values), interpersonal processes, emotions, social norms, and features of online communication facilitate or inhibit prosocial and altruistic behavior in digital environments at different ages.We particularly encourage contributions that integrate interdisciplinary perspectives (e.g., psychology, communication, data science, education, and human–computer interaction) and that employ innovative methodologies, including longitudinal designs, experimental approaches, big data analytics, or computational social science.By adopting a lifespan and developmental approach, this Research Topic aims to identify both age-specific expressions and cross-age continuities in online prosociality. In doing so, it contributes to a more comprehensive understanding of how these behaviors can be fostered throughout life and how they may serve as protective factors against online hostility, polarization, and social exclusion.In addition, this Topic seeks to contribute to ongoing societal debates about digital well-being, ethical technology design, and the promotion of healthier online communities.Online altruism and prosocial behavior constitute an important component of individuals’ digital social capital and play a crucial role in promoting respectful and supportive online communities. Moreover, online interactions have meaningful repercussions for offline well-being and social relationships across all stages of life.Understanding how and why people help others online at different ages can inform prevention strategies, educational programs, and interventions aimed at promoting healthier and more prosocial digital ecosystems. These insights are also highly relevant for policymakers, platform designers, and educators seeking evidence-based strategies to counteract online toxicity and enhance constructive engagement online.Topics of interestEmpirical and systematic review papers addressing, but not limited to, the following topics are welcome:- Forms and manifestations of online altruism and prosocial behavior across the lifespan.- Developmental trajectories and age-related changes in online prosocial and altruistic behavior.- Measurement and assessment of online altruism and prosocial behavior in children, adolescents, adults, and older adults.- Age, gender, and cultural differences in online prosocial behavior.- Attitudes, values, and moral beliefs related to online prosociality at different life stages.- Psychosocial factors (e.g., empathy, identity, emotions, social norms) that foster or hinder online prosocial behavior.- Emotional processes and regulation in online helping and support behaviors.- Online prosocial behavior in specific digital contexts (e.g., social media, online games, forums, support communities).- Online altruism, social capital, and well-being across the lifespan.- Intervention, prevention, and educational programs promoting online prosocial behavior in different age groups.- Short- and long-term consequences of online prosocial and altruistic behavior for individuals and communities.- The role of artificial intelligence, bots, and automated systems in shaping or simulating prosocial behavior online.- Prosocial behavior in emerging digital environments (e.g., virtual reality, the metaverse, hybrid online–offline contexts).- The impact of platform design, algorithms, and digital affordances on prosocial and altruistic actions.- Online prosocial responses to global crises (e.g., pandemics, climate change, humanitarian emergencies).- Dark sides and paradoxes of online prosociality (e.g., slacktivism, performative altruism).- Cross-cultural and global perspectives on digital prosociality in diverse socio-technological contexts. Topic editors: Yolanda Pastor, Lucas Marcelo Rodriguez, Manuel Martí-Vilar, Cesar Merino-Soto Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/86422/online-prosocial-behavior-and-altruism-across-the-lifespan---volume-ii