Modern-Day Loneliness: How Are We Feeling Lonely Even Though We're Always Connected?
/Connected… But Not?
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Have you been finding yourself overwhelmed with unanswered texts and ignored voicemails, yet still feeling alone? Well… congratulations, you’re now feeling the social epidemic of digital loneliness.
You can be involved in it all. All of the group chats, snap streaks, and discord servers, but still feel like none of it is any real connection. 2025 is a year where everyone talks, but not everybody connects.
What Is This “Feeling”?
Digital loneliness is how it sounds. It is to feel emotionally isolated, but still being socially active online. To think of it as an analogy, it is like fast food. It fulfilled the momentary feeling of isolation, its fun, quick and in reach, but it isn’t truly fulfilling the actual issue. Some apps begin to be used as a dopamine fix or as a happy distraction, and some are for connection. And while yes, social media does help with social interaction and communication, some feel the isolation of not having an actual social connection. It starts to become confusing when you’re constantly in contact with people, but it leaves you feeling alone.
How Did We Get Here? Why Is Social Media The Default?
Our World Data provided an analysis of the rise of social media. We can see that many of the most populated platforms are providing a some sort of “connection”. Something that carries across majority of social platforms, is the constant ability to have a conversation. It also comes with followers and “friends”. But with that comes the dilution and illusion of what friendship is and means.
As much as it may feel like a connection, texting someone all day is not the same as actually knowing each other. Unplugged did an article focusing on why social connection is critical for human, and cannot be replaced. It states that strong social connection has “therapeutic powers”. We as humans connect with vulnerability, tone of voice, eye contact and so much more. But when we’re behind a screen, we are removing so much from a true human connection and basing all off of a profile picture and assumptions. As we see the population of platforms grow, we are seeing a shrink of genuine connection.
What Is Our Reality?
Let’s be honest, when someone randomly comes up to talk to you, there’s probably a few times where you forgot how to speak. And when someone calls instead of texting? Instant panic, immediate anxiety and suspicion for what the call was about. And someone must have died.
Why is that? We have gotten so used to communicating digitally that real life connection has become has some-what lost. There has been a gap wedged between online friends and real-world socializing. Many people have started social-media breaks, and you’ll even find social media influencers posting about it. Why? Because their “followers” have created a par asocial friendship with the creator.
But remember, two things can be right at the same time. Everything has its advantages and its disadvantages, negative and positive affects. It's important that we learn how to balance our online presence, and to make it important to be present in our own lives. Social media is amazing with the things it can do, and people it can bring together. But remember, while those profiles are real people, however the curated content thats posted, is not. Someone once said, comparison is the thief of joy, and they are right. Comparing your life to a curated online profile, is not going to make you feel better.
Most Important: You’re Not Alone in Feeling Alone
The best take-away from this blog is: many people feel the same way.
Digital loneliness is a modern day issue, and while the technology may or may not be permanent, the problem doesn’t have to be. Take the days slow, find true and real conversation, make real life experiences and memories. Find people to make you feel heard and understood. Be social, even if you're anxious while doing it. Our world is filled with constant noise, but sometimes your feeling are the loudest. You are seen, and valued beyond a screen. Overtime, your connection to yourself and others will grow. Taking a break doesn’t have to be a bad thing, it is an opportunity to look up and around at the world around you. Your profile is not what or who you are.
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Nayia Thompson is an 18yr aspiring journalist. She is currently getting a diploma in professional writing. She strives to learn and gain an understanding of different parts of the world, and wants to use writing to provide that for others. Nayia writing is fuelled with honesty, truth and vulnerability.