Is message boarding a hobby?

How would you classify message boarding?

A hobby?
A form of communication?
A temporary escape to a virtual world?
A resource for questions?
A pastime?

When I retired, the search for additional hobbies began. I've done many of the traditional things like gardening, reading, decorating my home, etc. I've spent additional time with family and friends. I still felt like something was missing, though, and every time I'd ask myself "What do I enjoy doing?" I would think about how much I missed being on the IMDb message board. So, long story short, after I performed some more research, that's how you got stuck with me.

Obviously the response will vary from person to person depending on how frequently they visit a message board, why they visit it and how many connections (if any) they've chosen to make. I think the experience can vary from a rare place to ask a question to a close-knit online community filled with unexpected friends. I've experienced it both ways. I think all answers are valid too, and none should be looked down upon.

But in YOUR opinion, what exactly is message boarding?