Internet usage is an individual activity. Sure it's inclusive due to message boards, group videos, and other hosting functions, but I personally have no idea how much time millions of other people spend online. That's their business, although I would agree that it's fair to state that a large number of individuals may be net-dependent in some way.
However, many people do use the internet as a way to accommodate their busy schedule. It's a useful tool for communicating with family, friends, and other people who live in other parts of the world. I e-mail some friends more than I speak with them on a weekly basis, but that's the nature of the hectic society we live in. I'm not sure that communicating in that fashion makes our relationships any less than they would be if the bulk of our interaction was in person. It's like any other tool: there's a sole responsibility of the person to dictate limits or choose to employ none. Not really a big deal I guess.
I don't think that the internet makes people lonely. People who use the internet as a way to escape from limited relationship connections probably feel lonely when they use it, but if you have good friendships with people, I'm not sure why using the internet would make you feel lonely. Most people use it to interact with other people, in addition to self-express, research, search for celeb related material, assess film and music, hobbies, arts and craft, pornography, and a bevy of other things. It's one of the sole technological innovations that provides almost every kind of knowledge in a quasi-instantaneous manner. Since people are becoming conditioned for convenience, it's not too hard to evaluate the connection between the popularity of a tool that provides it and people who desire this. It's simple supply and demand.
I'll use this analogy: for those of you who own gaming systems, would you rather call 3 friends up to come over to your house, wait for them, and play a XBOX 360 game or would you rather call them, tell them to get online, and play the same game in the comfort of your own home with no travel? Also, if they're not available, you can play the same multiplayer game online with a friend from Japan<lol, not too many 360 consumers there, but you get the point>, one from Sweden, and one from another part of the world? It opens up global communication.
