Arfini, Selene, Tommaso Bertolotti, and Lorenzo Magnani. "Online communities as virtual cognitive niches." Synthese 196.1 (2019): 377-397.

This paper explores the cognitive and epistemic features of online communities through the lens of cognitive niche construction theories, presenting these communities as virtual cognitive niches. It discusses how these niches, as digitally-encoded collaborative information environments, support thinking and reasoning. Additionally, it examines the dual nature of these online communities in fostering civic awareness and potentially promoting problematic behaviors, especially in crisis situations, highlighting the ethical implications of their use.