ABSTRACT
This chapter traces the evolution of the viewpoints on the relationship between Internet usage and loneliness. It outlines and provide examples of salient characteristics of loneliness intervention programs. The chapter discusses the current Internet loneliness intervention programs and propose additional ways in which the Internet can be used to reduce loneliness. It explains that the intervention programs aimed at increasing the availability of the person's social network. This is important because current loneliness intervention programs are primarily aimed at in increasing opportunities for social contact and are not focused on the most effective intervention of loneliness, which is addressing maladaptive social cognition. This chapter talks about the historical review that looked at the relationship between Internet usage and loneliness. Although the Internet often gets blamed for causing loneliness, a nuanced approach has shown that the Internet amplifies existing tendencies and results in the rich getting richer and the poor getting poorer.
