The aim of the research is to develop and test methods for assessing the temporal structure of online discussions based on the analysis of the number and duration of user interactions on the internet (in social networks, forums, etc.). The article describes new methods for assessing the temporal structure of online discussions, developed within the scope of this work, based on the analysis of the number and duration of user interactions on the internet. Particular attention is given to methods for determining both the intensity and duration of discussions, which enables a more accurate assessment of the real-time dynamics of discussions. The intensity of a discussion is assessed through the ratio of the number of interactions (such as comments, replies, likes) and the duration of an online discussion. Methods for accurately determining the duration of a discussion are proposed, which take into account not only the time since a post was published but also the activity of users during the discussion, making these methods more flexible and precise. The methods were tested using real data from VKontakte communities in the cities of Taganrog and Sarov. The results of the practical study confirmed the existence of expected patterns, such as daily fluctuations in user activity levels and bursts of activity associated with significant social and political events. The developed methods for assessing the temporal structure of online discussions based on the number and duration of user interactions allow for effective analysis of the dynamics of discussion participants' involvement, identifying key moments and significant events in the process of online communication. These methods can be useful in various fields, such as social research, marketing, political analysis, reputation risk management, and others, where the analysis of online activity and involvement is required.
