Many people race home from a diagnosis with diabetes and jump on the internet.

If you have not previously investigated health conditions on the web, you will probably be surprised at the enormous number (and variety) of sites to be found.

The ABC's health reporter Rae Fry provides the following advice on their website www.abc.net.au A useful page to have beside your keyboard as you go searching.

• Don't rely on just one site.
• Find out who owns or has written the information.
• Sites produced by institutions may be more reliable than those produced by individuals.
• Sites that use an editorial review board may be more reliable.
• Information should be balanced - have the pros and cons been considered?
• If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
• Advertising should be clearly identified and commercial sponsorship disclosed up-front.
• Good site presentation doesn't guarantee quality, but nor does it detract from it.
• The information should be up to date.
• Be very wary of sites that offer online consultation and prescriptions.
• Finding good information takes time.

For complete report see ABC Health website: www.abc.net.au/health/cguides/elixir.htm

See books and websites for some popular diabetes websites.