The Starlight Children's Foundation unveiled the Livewire Online Community on Thursday.

Livewire allows children to chat with other young people, create blogs, play games, listen to music and watch videos.

Campbelltown Hospital also received a Livewire on Wheels unit last week — a specially designed hospital trolley with a computer and wireless connectivity.

The unit can be wheeled straight to the patient's bedside to give them access to Livewire from the comfort of their hospital bed.

Campbelltown Hospital is the ninth hospital in NSW to get Livewire, which is currently available in 21 hospitals around Australia. "The Livewire Hospital Program is great for young people," paediatrician Dr Raymond Chin said. "Livewire provides them with the opportunity to connect with other young people facing similar challenges so they won't feel alone."

This program was established under the federal government's Clever Networks program and now relies on the support of donors and major corporate partners such as Optus to continue to grow.

Livewire head of programs Kylie Johnson said: "Right now in Australia there are up to 50,000 young people experiencing social isolation, lower peer support and lower wellbeing as a result of living with a serious illness or disability."

Any child over age 10 with a serious illness or disability can join Livewire at livewire.org.au or member.services@livewire.org.au.< p>