Building Social Support

The Internet can be a valuable resource for building up your social support network. Think about your hobbies and areas of interest. With the Internet, you can get in touch with organizations and people who share your interests. For example, at the Yahoo recreation and sports listing, in-line skaters can learn about equipment and technique as well as local clubs and skating events. If you are interested in human rights, Amnesty International’s home page can put you in touch with a local chapter of the organization. Whatever your interests, odds are that you can find applicable Web pages, bulletin boards, chat rooms, and other Internet resources.

Choose a topic, and use a search engine to locate online resources. Describe what you find: What sites are available? What sorts of information can you obtain? Are there opportunities for you to interact online with people who share your area of interest? Did you find any organizations or groups operating in your area?