Do you think being able to use the internet makes us feel more connected and less lonely?

Doreen F, I agree the internet is never a replacement for real human contact. I think your point is also very well made about social networking; when you are on the outside of the fast fizzy 24/7 world of sharing everything you can wonder if indeed you do have anything to share and anyone to share it with. I feel the same, and I also feel very private about that sort of online socialising; my brother likens me to those grumpy old men on the balcony of the Muppets for my attitude to Facebook, for example! But I wouldn't be without email, web access or skype as internet fundamentals and with family all over the place they have certainly been of massive use to us staying in touch with each other.