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Before the advent of cars and telephones, neighborhoods were filled with people going for their nightly stroll, kids kicking or batting balls on vacant lots, and folks sitting on their front porches, chatting.

As metropolises grew, we got busier. The evenings were now filled with dinner times that were an increasingly challenging endeavor, because the kids were practicing sports at school, while dad was working late. Television had emerged and, during the cooler hours of the evening, the family would gather around it, watching The Honeymooners and Ed Sullivan, or later, the news and sitcoms.

As a result, front porch conversations became nearly extinct. This was indeed a sad circumstance, since young people and adults alike had always found this venue an appropriate place to participate in social activities, the young honing their skills in the presence of community members who appreciated their efforts.

In the modern world, especially where it concerned young people, being able to converse with others had limited mechanisms. Available options included the workplace, school and church. Outside of these arenas, there were restaurants, bars and malls.

This lack of available venues became a two-edged sword. Either we excelled among one or another of these groups, or disillusioned, we recoiled to privacy. Each of us has experienced the discomfort of having said something embarrassing while socializing. Sometimes our remarks so-embarrassed us that we longed to disappear into the woodwork. School-age kids are especially aware of this pitfall because of the many snafu's they are susceptible to during school hours.

Enter the Internet. This remarkable technology enables young and old alike to wake up in the morning and greet the world without the fear of rejection. We can respond to a busy friend who sent an email during the wee hours of the morning. We can check news, weather and even play our favorite music while we shower and prepare for the day. We can email a friend, asking them to meet us, knowing they will repond when they are able.

In the evenings, we don't have to worry that we will miss a friend's call if we go somewhere. Indeed, we know that, amidst meal preparation and our efforts to coordinate homework and entertainment, we will have an opportunity to "log on" and make contact.

For parents that worry their children are spending too much time on the net, I would like to offer encouragement. It is far easier for a shy child to have a conversation with several people

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