We risk losing sight of what really matters - real, human relationships - the more technologically connected we get

A paradox that has attracted more attention recently is the phenomenon of loneliness in our hyperconnected world. The ability to instantly connect through a smartphone or other electronic device provides a rapid means of preventing loneliness. Paradoxically, the transient aspect of that technological connection is part of its fundamental essence.

Despite all of its functionality and intrinsic value, an electronic gadget is really a robot created to make us happy. It is virtually possible for someone with a smartphone to locate someone else to communicate with at any time. Even if the conversation could seem as genuine as one that takes place in person, the truth is that face-to-face engagement is the only method to significantly reduce loneliness and that technological devices will never be able to fully replace genuine human connection (Jeanette Landin, 2019).

Approximately one-third of teens and young people report feeling lonely, and over 20 per cent report feeling lonely frequently or constantly, according to polls conducted in the United States, Australia and the United Kingdom (Smith et al, 2021).

The Illusion of Connectivity

One might think that loneliness would be a thing of the past in a world where social media platforms have billions of active users. However, this is far from the truth. Despite having hundreds or thousands of online “friends,” the strength of these connections is frequently shallow at best, according to the Connectivity Illusion (Gupta, 2023).

According to life coach Dr Chandni Tugnait, the appearance of connectedness can lead to a false sense of social engagement, where people may have a large number of online friends but little in the way of deep connections. This superficiality can result in “extended loneliness,” a condition in which people while being continuously linked online sense a severe lack of real relationships (Candiotto, 2022).

Impact of Hyperconnectivity

Anxiety and stress brought on by the incessant stream of messages and notifications can exacerbate emotional alienation. As Dr Tugnait points out, people are frequently pushed into emotional seclusion as a coping strategy due to the overwhelming digital noise that hinders the development of meaningful emotional bonds. This paradox demonstrates how emotional stress brought on by hyper-connectedness can cause the sheer volume of digital contacts to lose their meaning.

Furthermore, the pressure to maintain an online presence can exacerbate rejection anxiety and feelings of inadequacy. Many people suffer from FOMO (Fear of Missing Out), which is the need to participate in social groups or activities that do not individually appeal to them to prevent being left out. Because people may be surrounded by people but still feel incredibly alone, this self-imposed loneliness makes feelings of isolation worse (Gupta, 2023).

Social media sites frequently display well-chosen depictions of life, which can warp reality. Users are inundated with posts and photos that present seemingly ideal lives, which encourage unhealthful comparisons. People may feel inadequate and lonely as a result of these comparisons if they believe their own lives are less satisfying. There is a substantial psychological cost; research shows that younger generations - especially Gen Z - report concerning rates of mental health problems associated with these dynamics (Eedle, 2024).

A Complex Emotion

The subjective distressing sense of loneliness arises when one feels that their social ties are not up to par. Research indicates that lonely people frequently feel misunderstood and their connections lack purpose, even though loneliness may be correlated with both the number and quality of relationships with others. According to sociologist Robert S Weiss, loneliness arises from unfulfilled demands for social isolation, attachment, care, a sense of trustworthy alliance, a confirmation of one’s value and direction in trying times (Smith et al, 2021).

The term “extended loneliness,” coined by recent research, refers to a particular kind of loneliness that arises in our networked lives. This kind of loneliness is caused by a large number of unfulfilling connections rather than a lack of them. When surrounded by digital exchanges that lack emotional depth, people may yearn for genuine relationships. The work of Sherry Turkle demonstrates how, when they take over our daily lives, technology may turn into a source of loneliness, creating a complicated emotional experience that blends longing and sensations of absence. (Candiotto, 2022)

Combatting Loneliness

People need to be proactive in creating real connections to overcome this expanding problem:

• Prioritise in-person interactions: Try to interact with friends and family in person by having talks and doing things together.
• Limit social media use: To lessen feelings of comparison and inadequacy, establish limits on how much time is spent on social media.
• Take part in activities that have meaning: To meet like-minded people, take part in community events or groups that share your interests.
• Practice mindfulness: Develop self-awareness about your own emotional needs and know when you’re lonely.
• Seek professional assistance: Professional assistance can be extremely beneficial for people dealing with ongoing feelings of loneliness or mental health problems (Loneliness and social media: How curation impacts our wellbeing 2024).

Being present is more difficult than being connected in a world where we are constantly online and accessible. We risk losing sight of what really matters - real, human relationships - the more technologically “connected” we get.

This is the paradox of our hyperconnected society. We may recover our sense of belonging and lessen the loneliness that so many of us experience in this age of perpetual connectivity by acknowledging the psychological toll that digital overload can have and making conscious attempts to cultivate real connections (Vyas, 2024).

Authors: Vidhi Mantry, Undergraduate Student, FLAME University, & Prof. Moitrayee Das, Faculty of Psychology, FLAME University.