Loneliness: The Rust on the Door of the Internet
It might seem rather ridiculous to correlate the Internet with loneliness. Ironically, one of the primary functions of the Internet was to increase the efficiency of communication and connect the extremes of the globe. Since the invention of the Internet, it has been a peaking industry that has been flourishing constantly. They say excess of anything is adverse. Fast forward to decades later, hyper-connectivity is a potential causative factor in inducing loneliness among people.
It would be correct to state that Social Media feeds on people’s insecurity. Unknowingly, we spend hours and hours scrolling through the feeds of strangers and having a gala time. The content we see gets imprinted on our unconscious minds, thus giving birth to jealousy and tendencies to compare with others.
Thorough research in the field of Psychiatry shows that extended usage of social media cuts down on the amount of social interaction enacted in person. When we develop the habit of checking our social media regularly, we create a misguided sense of affiliation and connection. Social cues and emotional understanding are deeply disregarded when conversing online. Consequently, introversion, loneliness, and the accompanying lack of social skills are so prevalent these days.
What we often overlook is that the devil of mental disorders lurks behind the shadows of loneliness. To reverse the clock and relieve the negative effects of hyper-connectedness, below are some valuable recommendations:
It is essential to keep tabs on how much time one spends on social sites. To avoid all sorts of harmful effects, screen time should not be a minute above 3 hours. In a survey, it was found that people who gave up social media found themselves happier and more agile. They felt less stressed and anxious. All in all, it is the ultimate solution to the problem.
The internet provides a safe space for its users who want to express themselves while being anonymous simultaneously. Moreover, there is nothing more convenient than the accessibility of social networking sites. Despite the visible advantages, when we get engulfed in the trap of social media, we tend to lose sight of reality. As discussed earlier, social media lures its users by offering them a false sense of social connection. This false sense tempers a person's ability to act in social settings. This takes a severe turn when people altogether cut off their connections with the real world.
By establishing limits with technology, we can concentrate on fostering face-to-face encounters and creating genuine connections. Addictiveness is a feature of social networking. Due to this very reason, physical and psychological health is also not taken notice of. Therefore, people struggling with loneliness must set up a clear dichotomy between superficial and genuine relationships.
Users of social media may decide to forgo in-person interactions and replace them with online updates and posts. Adolescents deprived of social interactions often suffer from a lack of empathy and/or social anxiety. Thus, because of these circumstances, it is necessary to reignite and maintain the bonds with family and friends. The meaningful contact that is lost, can be the key to invoking a sense of social support.
There is no reason to be afraid if a person finds themselves haunted by loneliness caused by exposure to the internet. In some extreme cases, one thing leads to another. In other words, loneliness may take up the form of depression, GAD (generalized anxiety disorder), and many other related issues. A suitable therapist can be useful in pulling people out of such misery.
With that being said, we can easily overcome the chokehold social media has on us. Reducing dependence on Social Media is quite difficult owing to its obvious advantages. Despite that, we need to protect our social involvement and psychological well-being before the rust of loneliness demolishes the door of the Internet.
REFERENCES:
[1] Anthony Silard Ph.D., ‘How Social Media Exploits Our Loneliness’ (https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-art-living-free/202106/how-social-media-exploits-our-loneliness)
[2] Mark Travers, ‘Are You Suffering From Social-Media-Induced Loneliness?’ (https://www.forbes.com/sites/traversmark/2023/01/21/are-you-suffering-from-social-media-induced-loneliness/?sh=27dd8a0b1431)
[3] Jeremy Nobel, MD, MPH, ‘Does social media make you lonely?’ (https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/is-a-steady-diet-of-social-media-unhealthy-2018122115600)
[4] The Fast Forward Team, ‘Loneliness in a Hyper-Connected World’ (https://ffwd.com.cy/articles/people/loneliness-hyper-connected-world)
[5] ‘Does Social Media Cause Loneliness?’ (https://socialmediavictims.org/mental-health/loneliness/)