Faryal Madad Naqvi
Loneliness can be defined as the feeling we get when our need for rewarding social contact and relationships is not met. There are many factors that can increase loneliness. A significant positive correlation was found between the amount of time someone spends on social media a day and reported feelings of loneliness. This means the more time you spend on social media, the lonelier you feel and the worse friendship quality you have. The loneliness and technology correlates. It’s almost funny how we are “more connected than ever” with social media, Zoom, texting, and more—and yet, we are developing more disconnected from society as technology detaches us from the need to engage in actual socialization. We are lethargic than ever—while also being lonelier. This happens in numerous ways. We have all been on the subway and seen people with their heads buried in their phones, just as we’ve all gone out for lunch with friends who ignore us because they’re looking down at their screens. These experiences show how technology distracts us from meaningful and effective interaction with others.
This happens for numerous reasons. Firstly, technological communication fosters disingenuous relationships. While it’s easier and quicker to reach out and communicate via technology than face-to-face transactions, such transactions do not offer the heartfelt, meaningful give-and-take of in-person exchanges that promote intention and emotional depth. When social interaction occurs without intention, people find themselves lonely, lacking in emotional fulfillment. Secondly, social media encourages a comparative nature, which increases loneliness. There are social posts pinned by friends or strangers alike on Instagram and TikTok. Lives become more grand, and in turn, people grow lonelier because they think everyone else is having more fun than they are. This creates a very exclusive dynamic as people feel less than, with their self-esteem being lowered by the omnipresence of what better—or at least differently—people have or do. The constant barrage of images of success, happiness, and social activities leads many to feel inadequate, amplifying feelings of isolation.
Thirdly, people do not seek social opportunities in real world because so much is available at their fingertips from the comfort of their own homes. Instead of going out and exploring what’s available just beyond their front door, they are flooded with everything that could ever be seen or experienced from the Internet. When this happens, they don’t go out and, therefore, don’t participate in the kinds of social interactions that will meaningfully keep them from being lonely. Ultimately, technology as distraction ensures that people give up socializing with other people. Instead of soaking it all in, being in the moment, or engaging in a meaningful conversation, too many conditioned distractions exist, and people find themselves screen-absorbed, oblivious to their surroundings. These controlled distractions not only minimize the power of socialization but also make group work less effective.
Ultimately, this question is contingent on whether human interaction is required to a greater extent than technological benefits. Technology is great and provides amazing opportunities for connectivity and networking—but not at the expense of in-person, genuine human interaction. Thus, if anyone feels lonely, it would be best to step away from their technological offerings and go out into the world, confronting genuine, substantial situations that offer possibilities for human interaction. Attending local events, engaging in community activities, or even taking part in group hobbies can provide the kind of face-to-face experiences that nurture social bonds and combat loneliness. If this is possible, then technology and its benefits can be lauded—as long as it does not sacrifice one’s sense of well-being for human interaction.
