UNTOLD STORY

In the warm glow of the digital world, an invisible epidemic is sweeping across our young generation: the stinging pang of loneliness. In this hyper-connected age, young people worldwide find themselves in a paradox of connected disconnect. This paradox is a crucial trigger for the growing sense of isolation among youth. This problem urgently needs to be addressed.

There have consistently been reports of an upsurge in loneliness among the young. Despite having thousands of followers or friends online, many feel they need to be better understood. The haunting question arises: Why is the digital era’s most socially connected generation paradoxically the loneliest? A primary cause of this epidemic of loneliness is the reliance on the more impersonal forms of social media, which can lead to superficial connections. Social media often only showcases the highlights of people’s lives in almost-perfectly tweezed pictures and videos, making others feel their lives are inadequate. Yet, not comparing ourselves to others is becoming increasingly important in this age of constant digital comparisons. For young adults, loneliness seems an inescapable part of their journey, and unique pressures also exacerbate this. Their journey is far from smooth, be it the post-university blues or the isolation from remote work in a post-COVID world. They also find themselves straddling the line between Western cultural norms and their traditional values. The struggle to balance the two worlds can be emotionally draining and isolating. So how can we combat this escalating loneliness among our youth? Amidst this emotional turmoil, could technology, often held as a cause for their plight, also present a remedy?

The youth of today need not suffer silently in the shadows of loneliness. And their faith and cultural identity can also be sources of strength rather than isolation in these challenging times. Before anything else, it is essential for young people to also foster real-world social interactions. Studies have shown that face-to-face communication helps build and foster much deeper, more meaningful relationships. Secondly, we must place more emphasis on mental health. It needs to be discussed openly, fostering an environment where it’s safe to share feelings of loneliness or depression. By being educated about mental health, we may also realise that loneliness is normal and definitely manageable. Psychologists, counsellors, and mentors can also offer a safe space to share feelings and develop coping strategies.