Its not about changing your opponent's mind. It's about the people reading along. You aren't talking to your opponent. You're talking to the audience you share with that opponent. Never forget that.

False. I was deeply religious growing up but can remember the exact "debate" with an online athiest that planted the doubts and lead to my deconversion.

disagree, I've changed my mind several times through online arguments. Not always a flip but often reality is not as binary as you think and opposition has some important points.

1. This is not always true.
2. There is a third person in this equation.

The majority of my currently held opinions on things have been shaped and influenced by over a decade of online forums discussion boards and conversations with strangers who hold different views as mine

I usually explain the phenomenon of the internet similar to that of the printing press. It makes the smart people smarter (easier access to information) and dumb people dumber (they can’t detect misinformation and manipulation thus will trend towards the worst possible outcomes). If you are a smart person without access to higher education YouTube and Wikipedia is the greatest invention of mankind; if you are a retard then YouTube leads you to binge watching Candace Owens

I think this is mostly true IRL too

i don't see it that way, my views have changed significantly because of the discussions i've had (mostly online)

You're wrong and I am going to harass you until you change your mind to prove it!!

Oh, wait…

Most people read internet comments even if they never participate. Regardless of what they say they will be influenced by those comments. If you never have the argument your view will be represented and will die out.