The Impact of Technology on Our Epidemic of Loneliness

What is the loneliness epidemic?

In May of 2023, the U.S. Surgeon General released a report titled, “Our Epidemic of Loneliness and Isolation” which found that about half of U.S. adults experience measurable levels of loneliness. Compared to social isolation (defined as having few social relationships, social roles, group membership, and infrequent social interaction), loneliness is a distressing experience resulting from perceived isolation or a discrepancy between one's desired and actual level of social connection. Human beings are biologically wired for connection and social connection is a fundamental human need. However, a 2023 Meta-Gallup survey of more than 140 countries found that nearly one-fourth of people – more than a billion people – worldwide feel very or fairly lonely. This loneliness also manifests in significant physical and mental health risks. Poor social connection is associated with a 29 percent increased risk of heart disease and a 32 percent increased risk of stroke, as well as an increased risk for anxiety, depression, and dementia. There are many reasons why individuals have become less socially connected. On an individual level, social connection is driven by mental health, physical health, race, gender, age, and living situation. Community connectedness is influenced by social infrastructure supporting social connections, such as libraries and parks, volunteer programs, and public transportation. 

While half of U.S. adults report feeling lonely, according to a recent poll, those aged 15-29 report feeling the most lonely among survey participants, with 27% feeling very or fairly lonely. (Ellyn Maese, 2023). 

How does digital technology play a role?

Digital technology has shaped daily life for nearly two decades. According to a 2021 Pew Research survey, 85 percent of Americans report that they are online daily – this includes 31 percent who report being online “almost constantly”, 48 percent who say that they go online several times a day, and 6 percent who say they go online about once a day. Among teens ages 13 to 17 years, 95 percent report using social media as of 2022, and more than half report that it would be hard to give up social media. According to a Gallup survey of more than 1,500 adolescents, just over half of U.S. teenagers (51%) report spending an average of 4.8 hours per day using a variety of social media apps such as YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, and X (formerly Twitter). 

The average time spent on social media ranges from 4.1 hours per day for 13-year-olds to 5.8 hours per day for 17-year-olds. Girls spend 5.3 hours per day on social media, compared to boys, who spend 4.4 hours per day. (Gallup Panel “Familial and Adolescent Health Survey” conducted between June 26 to July 17, 2023).

While there is no doubt that social media and increased use of technology have increased some form of social connectedness among Americans, it has also contributed to greater loneliness. In a U.S.-based study entitled “Social Media Use and Perceived Social Isolation Among Young Adults in the U.S”, researchers have found that young adults who reported using social media for more than two hours a day were two times more likely to experience increased perceptions of social isolation compared to those who used social media for less than 30 minutes per day. Increased time spent on social media may also replace in-person social experiences and reduce the quality of our interactions. For instance, people who frequently used their phones when engaging in face-to-face interactions with friends and family felt more distracted and reported lower enjoyment of time spent together. Lastly, a study conducted with 467 adolescents found that adolescents with higher levels of social media use had lower self-esteem. Another study conducted with 1,087 female adolescents between the ages of 13 and 15 found that 75 percent had at least one social media account, and those who used social media had significantly higher levels of negative body image than those who did not.

31 percent of U.S. adults say they go online “almost constantly” and 48 percent say that they go online “several times a day.” (Pew Research Center, 2021).

Furthermore, scientists have found that, for teens, activities such as viewing content and feedback (specifically when they viewed “likes” and when they checked their feeds) were associated with activation in areas of the brain linked to social rewards. Teens are sensitive to social information and these experiences are likely to affect the development and wiring of the brain’s reward system. A related study showed that seeking external rewards and external validation was linked with a poorer social life and worse mental health symptoms. 

When goals derive from intrinsic motivation, that is, when feeling satisfied with one’s effort is completely reliant on one’s own goals and assessment (as opposed to comparing with an external standard) and individuals can control the effort, they also perceive that they have better control over the outcome. Staking self-worth on externally mediated outcomes is not a reliable way to achieve well-being, This is especially true for teens that are socially sensitive or vulnerable. Those with low self-esteem who use social media to engage in social comparison are more prone to mental health struggles than those with high self-esteem. This external comparison and need for external approval can also lead to greater rates of loneliness.

What can we do?

There are ways to mitigate the impact of technology and social media on our social connections and rates of loneliness. The Surgeon General’s advisory outlines six steps for tackling loneliness: (1) strengthening social infrastructure (i.e., parks, libraries, and other social programs); (2) enacting public policies that encourage social connection (i.e., public transit); (3) pushing public health officials to address the physical and mental health impacts of loneliness; (4) critically evaluating our relationship with technology; (5) taking the initiative to become more informed on research about loneliness; and (6) cultivating a culture of connection at both the individual and community level. 

Further, parents and caregivers play a vital role in shaping social connections in their children.  There are several measures that they can take to foster social connectedness and in turn decrease rates of loneliness among their teens and adolescents. To begin, parents can help their children and adolescents develop strong, safe, and stable relationships with adults, such as grandparents, teachers, counselors, and mentors. Parents can also encourage their children to participate in volunteer activities, sports, and mentorship programs. Adolescents display loneliness and social isolation in various ways. Parents should watch for signs such as increased alone time, excessive online activity, fewer interactions with friends, or attention-seeking behavior. Parents must ensure their children have a solid support network and encourage them to seek help from counselors, educators, or healthcare providers if they're dealing with loneliness, isolation, or unhealthy relationships.

Most importantly, parents can play a vital role in shifting the norm surrounding teens’ and adolescents’ relationship with information environments (i.e., social media). Parents can also play an important role in teaching their children psychological concepts such as cognitive and attentional control, goal-setting, and discipline. Aside from teaching their children about how to evaluate their social media use critically, parents can also better foster autonomy and competency. If teens and adolescents perceive that they have greater autonomy and competence, they are also likely to have greater perceived control over their lives. Satisfying basic psychological needs is the basis of established psychological theories that describe necessary components of well-being. Feeling capable, independent, and supported has consistently linked to better mental health and well-being. Fostering developmental environments that satisfy these needs is a powerful way to promote resilience and well-being.

References

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Maese, E. (2023, October 24). Almost a Quarter of The World Feels Lonely. Gallup Blog. https://news.gallup.com/opinion/gallup/512618/almost-quarter-world-feels-lonely.aspx 

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