The Internet has been ascribed a negative reputation among scholars, for its potentially damaging influence on its users. These include addiction, depression, and loneliness. Although there are individuals who have been harmed through their use of the Internet, this is certainly not the whole story. The Internet provides a rich environment which includes significantly positive aspects as well as negative ones, and, when used appropriately, the Internet may greatly improve the quality of life for its users. This article will focus on the affirmative aspects of the net and on ways in which it may be used to enhance and increase surfers' well-being, both collectively and individually. The topics discussed below are: (1) how the net experience can help socially inhibited people and those with a negative social stigma; (2) social support systems on the net; (3) how the net can improve intergroup relationships; (4) the ability of the net to solve the conflict between individuality and belonging to a group. It is suggested that understanding the positive aspects of the net will promote its potential to improve the psychological well-being of surfers. (c) 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
