Its the modern day equivalent of the wake. I anybody who is from a big family circle will know how conforting it can be in the hours of grief to rely on family and friends to come round and cheer you up by simply acknowledging your pain.

This is just a further extension of that with internet acquaintances replacing real life ones.......if it has the desired effect of comforting those that need it I really can't see how anyone can have a problem with it.