Teens turn to Internet for counselling services.

Teens turn to Internet for counselling services. :

"'The first is confidentiality... you don't have to admit to anyone that you're going through a tough time to get the information and help that you need, and the other thing is it's accessible 24/7,' he said."

These days, phones are not terribly private. People used to move away if you went on the phone, but mobiles have meant we've all been subjected to way too much information as people chatter in public. You cannot move away on the bus. The Internet is very real and very much a part of our lives and as we shift our lives around to include it more and more, one of its hallmarks is that it can be private and impersonal. You can get help very readily. Nasty people have already used it as a trap for the young and innocent and others have used it to hack and scam. I do not believe that is the bulk of users. The bulk of users use it to improve themselves in one way or another and to develop a sense of community. There are some good forums and good forums can give sound support and advice to people who are sliding around emotionally. Forums can also manage very difficult people and they are known. They become known, whereas in normal life you do not always know who is at risk or who is extremely antisocial. There is no reason why there couldn't be some very good counselling sites developed which would support others, not just kids. A lot of kids are increasingly isolated from adults because the parents are working long hours and family memebers are scattered because of work. They , or anyone else can develop an online support group. The Net is open 24 hours a day and there is always someone there if you are trying to solve a practical or emotional problem. It's one of the real advantages of the Net. You do not have to wait until a suitable person is available in your own life. They are often too busy or plain not there.