Do you think online petitions are good or bad?

I think the are a bad way of getting something or something done. Like anyone reads them or even pays attention to them.

It depends...a lot of the petitions (specifically, the ones sent through email) are scams, or just plain false...but online petitions can be a good way to get positive change.

When it gets right down to it, though, I prefer paper - it's much easier to ensure that the petition is legitimate.

They're not useful in actually accomplishing anything; they are, however, a good way to determine the support, or lack thereof, that a movement or whatever actually has.

I suppose they could be bad if they divert energy away from "real action" on some issue. That is, if people think they are "doing their part" by signing the online petition and no further action or thought is needed on their part...

But otherwise I don't see the harm, they might give false hope. Assuming people aren't cheating though, I agree with you, they can be a measure of public support for something, like an unofficial poll.

They're useless. But most of what's on the internet is anyways.