Many World Wide Web sites now offer "live chat" capabilities,
allowing you to "chat," or type messages to other users instantly. The quality
and nature of the chats, however, will vary depending on the number of
participants and the time of day, so you should try visiting chat sites during
different times. Also, take note of sites that host chat "events," during which
specific topics are discussed or a guest "speaker" is present.
In most cases, the only software you need to participate in
live chats is a forms-capable Web browser. Some sites utilize plug-in or
"helper" chat applications, and may also take advantage of the
Internet Relay Chat (IRC)
system. Sites such as these usually provide instructions for downloading
free or low-cost versions of the software. If you have questions about the way
a chat site operates, contact the site's administrator.
The following pediatric Internet resources contain live "chat
rooms":
- In Alphabetical Order
Note: These links are to site descriptions, which
then link to the actual sites.
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