The field of digital research is moving towards a deeper understanding of how online communities and support networks can be leveraged to address various social and health-related issues. Recent studies have highlighted the importance of digital literacy, social learning, and peer networks in facilitating access to information and resources, particularly in contexts where traditional channels are restricted or stigmatized. The intersection of infrastructural conditions and social learning is emerging as a key area of focus, with implications for design and policy interventions. Noteworthy papers in this area include:

• A study on gamer mitigation tactics in Iran, which highlights the role of gaming communities in sharing tactics and lowering barriers to adoption.
• Research on online Ask the Doctor services, which reveals disparities in engagement between users and posters with certain demographics.
• An examination of how men navigate infertility through digital communities, which informs trauma-informed design for stigmatized health communities.
• A computational framework for modeling domestic violence support-seeking behavior, which enables victim-centered digital interventions.
• An investigation of crowdfunding for social causes in India, which sheds light on the importance of investigating various dynamics around community-driven needs.