It (Internet) is a powerful tool to help prevent the spread of the disease, because it overcomes the obstacles of stigma and fear, said Simon Rosser, an HIV intervention researcher from the University of Minnesota.

The Internet encouraged people to educate themselves about the disease by presenting information in an entertaining and anonymous way, he said.

Rosser said that this was key in countries where some people were harassed or even killed for being homosexual or HIV positive.

The Internet was also important in educating HIV-positive youth in Canada, said York University Professor Sarah Flicker.

Her research led to the launch of livepositive.ca, an interactive HIV-AIDS education site made specifically for HIV-positive Canadian youth.

"HIV-positive young people are a hidden population in this country, who very rarely get the attention and support they need."

She said the Internet allowed her to more effectively provide information to youth.

"One of the benefits of the online environment is that it's available 24 hours a day. It can be completely anonymous and confidential," she said.

Flicker said there were about 15,000 Canadians under the age of 29 infected with HIV. But because Canada was considered to have a low prevalence of AIDS, it lacked enough awareness of the situation.