"They think I'm really cool and nice": The impact of Internet support on the social networks and loneliness of young people with disabilities

Today, young people use the Internet for social networking, learning and recreation. Young people with disabilities have fewer friends and reduced social networks. Eighteen young people aged 10-18 years with cerebral palsy, physical disability or acquired brain injury completed a social networks inventory and level of loneliness measure. Participants received assistive technology and training at their home to learn to use the Internet for building social networks.