As it becomes more widely used by the general public, the internet is emerging as a potential substitute for face-to-face social support. It could help to improve quality of life and decrease social isolation during treatment of chronic diseases. However, this evaluation study suggests that some patients undergoing treatment for newly diagnosed cancer and their families may not benefit from web resources. Children, young people and families faced with serious and life-threatening diseases require family-centred, individualised support to help them come to terms with the diagnosis and play their part in ongoing treatment. Dixon-Woods et al (2002) suggest that to plan effective, supportive interventions, we need a better understanding of the transition from being the parent of a well child to becoming the parent of a child with cancer. We also need to hear specifically from children and fathers whose responses have been under-researched.