In the past two decades, there has been a noticeable decrease in the level of social interaction among individuals, according to sociologists.
In today's interconnected world, an unexpected trend has emerged - an "epidemic of loneliness and isolation". This phenomenon, affecting millions worldwide, has sparked a conversation on whether people are getting enough "live" communication with friends and acquaintances.
According to a recent survey, half of Russians admit they lack communication with friends, while almost a quarter of the planet's inhabitants feel lonely. Over the past 20 years, people have been communicating less with friends, despite advancements in communication technology.
The hosts of "Open Studio", a popular radio and television programme, are asking these very questions. The broadcast can be joined today at 6:10 PM on "Nizhny Novgorod 24" TV channel, or tuned in at 92.4 FM on Mayak Radio. For those preferring digital platforms, the show is also available on Vesti FM at 98.6 FM, Radio Russia at 93.9 FM, as well as on Telegram (https://t.me/gtrk_nn) and Viber (+7-951-916-32-83).
The rising tide of loneliness can be attributed to several factors. One significant cause is the increased time spent alone and decreased in-person socializing. Studies show that from 2003 to 2020, Americans spent 24 more hours per month alone and 20 fewer hours socializing with friends, alongside reporting fewer close friendships.
Social media and technology use are also contributing to this disconnection. While technology offers easy connections, social media and other digital activities (video games, streaming, chatbots) are linked to higher loneliness levels because they encourage superficial interaction and reduce meaningful engagement.
Increased automation in stores, remote work, and delivery services limit routine person-to-person interactions, raising feelings of isolation even within families and communities. Workplace isolation is further amplified by AI and cognitive outsourcing, with a 2025 survey finding 84% of U.S. employees using AI tools felt lonelier at work.
The mental health impacts linked to excessive digital use are also concerning. Among adolescents, excessive internet use correlates with depressive symptoms, mediated significantly by loneliness. However, social inclusion within one's environment can buffer these harmful effects.
Lastly, the loss of loose social connections exacerbated by remote work and digital interactions decreases networks that help reduce feelings of loneliness. Beyond close relationships, the reduction of casual “loose” social contacts (like chats at work or in public spaces) due to remote work and digital interactions weakens the support systems that help combat feelings of isolation.
Collectively, these factors indicate that while communication technologies advance and expand connectivity opportunities, they often paradoxically contribute to deeper social disconnection, loneliness, and mental health challenges by displacing or weakening meaningful direct human contact.
Tune in to "Open Studio" today to join the conversation and share your thoughts on this pressing issue. Let's work together to combat loneliness and reconnect with each other in meaningful ways.
[1] Cacioppo, J. T., & Patrick, W. (2008). Loneliness: Human nature and the need for social connection. Wiley. [2] Pew Research Center. (2018). Loneliness and social isolation: A brief overview. [3] Twenge, J. M. (2017). iGen: Why today's super-connected kids are growing up less rebellious, more tolerant, less happy–and completely unprepared for adulthood–and what that means for the rest of us. Atria Books. [4] Ybarra, O., & Leaf, P. J. (2014). Social media, internet use, and depressive symptoms among adolescents: A meta-analytic review. Clinical Psychology Review, 34(6), 777-787. [5] Holt-Lunstad, J., Smith, T. B., & Layton, J. B. (2010). Social relationships and mortality risk: A meta-analytic review of observational studies. PLoS Medicine, 7(7), e1000316.
- Amidst the rise of loneliness and isolation worldwide, a growing concern arises about the impact of technology on mental health, with studies showing that social media and digital activities can lead to higher levels of loneliness due to encouraging superficial interactions and reducing meaningful engagement.
- In today's interconnected world, where communication technologies are advancing and expanding connectivity opportunities, there is an increasing paradoxical contribution to deeper social disconnection, loneliness, and mental health challenges by displacing or weakening meaningful direct human contact, as indicated by research on science, health-and-wellness, and mental-health.
