Thursday, June 8 at 19:30 GMT: Exploring how digital connections may be deepening social isolation
Despite the vast array of tools that technology offers for staying connected, concerns about loneliness are escalating globally. The hashtag #IHaveNoFriends frequently appears across social media, reflecting a growing sentiment of isolation that experts believe has been worsened by the COVID-19 pandemic.
In the United States, the issue has reached such alarming levels that the Surgeon General has issued a public advisory, labeling loneliness a national epidemic. Research indicates that chronic loneliness contributes to mental health issues like anxiety and depression and increases the risk of premature death, heart disease, and dementia.
The rise of digital platforms has undoubtedly reshaped the way people form relationships—but has it come at a cost to genuine connection? While some forms of technology can help alleviate feelings of social isolation, concerns grow when virtual interactions substitute for meaningful, in-person friendships.
This episode of The Stream explores the surge in loneliness, the role technology plays in this modern crisis, and the initiatives underway to confront the issue.
