Loneliness is a modern “disease” of our society, which became a global problem both in developed and urbanized countries. The development of technology and science generate various phobias and sociological problems (Molloy, 2017). People often become self-absorbed, do not share the experience with others and get obsessed with social networks. Information technologies unite users at the external level and sever them at the deep emotional level of interpersonal relationships.
The global Internet network, the improvement of the international transport system and the globalization of world processes, gradually eliminated the need for close ties between people for the development of society. According to Barford, today in many spheres (especially in the field of culture, high technology, scientific research), the role of mass collective efforts to achieve success is no different from the disunited actions of single persons united by the World Wide Web, run by a small number of talented leaders (2013). In addition, the development of the media and the computer industry attract a lot of attention. In these projects, significant money is invested, the purpose of which is to keep the viewer’s attention for as long as possible.
The progress of technology has affected social interaction. Often virtual communication replaces us with real meetings with friends (Harris, 2015). A person got a real opportunity to be successful without close contact with the society, which is the main reason for such a phenomenon as loneliness. But the need for communication and contact did not disappear anywhere, they simply atrophied, distorted, took false forms. Such pseudo-freedom, in fact, makes it impossible to lead a natural way of life. The worst scenario for the development of this situation is the attempts of the bearers of a lonely way of life to impose their opinions on others, to find confirmation of the correctness of their actions among other people.
In times far away from us, men who tried to survive alone were condemned to suffering and difficult existence in advance, which is why they were considered martyrs, saints or hermits. Only together the community of people could productively develop, rebuff the enemy and conduct a successful economic activity (Warrel, 2012). In other words, a hundred years ago, a person did not have the physical ability to remain alone, and at the same time be self-sufficient and successful. For many, loneliness is a kind of screen that allows hiding complexes or other shortcomings that can progressively improve over the years. Excessive use of the Internet enhances the social isolation of the individual, and, accordingly, a sense of loneliness. Dependence on online communication, computer games provoke the emergence of social loneliness. The need for communication is partially met, but network communication does not solve the problem, but only exacerbates them. Dependence effects such aspects of life as participation in family life, day-to-day duties, full sleep, reading books and self-development, sports, socializing with friends, social contacts.
In connection with the rapid development and spread of the Internet, there is the problem of Internet-dependent behavior. According to Molloy, the phenomenon of Internet addiction is a complex social phenomenon, the development of which can lead to a number of social and personal problems (2017). As the age of access to the Internet decreases every year, and young people form a larger segment of the Internet audience, the problem of Internet-dependent behavior may become one of the reasons for the low social adaptation, weak integration into the social relations of the youngest part of the population.
Fast-growing technologies create opportunities for individual development therefore it is essential to keep the social participation while using tools of modernization. The active use of the Internet facilitates interpersonal communication and generally strengthens the sense of loneliness. Virtual communication creates the illusion of a saturated life, allows users to try themselves in different situations, while it negatively affects the commitment to others, which is necessary for a common human existence. Information technologies disconnect at a deep emotional level of interpersonal relationships, so it’s important to use the tools of modern technology wisely.
- Barford V. (2013, April 8). Is modern life making us lonely? BBC News. Retrieved from
http://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-22012957 - Harris R. (2015, March 30). The loneliness epidemic: we’re more connected than ever – but are we feeling more alone? The Independent. Retrieved from
http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-families/features/the-loneliness-epidemic-more-connected-than-ever-but-feeling-more-alone-10143206.html - Molloy M. (2017, March 6). Too much social media ‘increases loneliness and envy’ – study. The Telegraph. Retrieved from
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/2017/03/06/much-social-media-increases-loneliness-envy-study/ - Warrell M. (2012, May 24). Text or talk: is technology making you lonely? The Forbes Magazine. Retrieved from
https://www.forbes.com/sites/womensmedia/2012/05/24/text-or-talk-is-technology-making-you-lonely/#3414b2e52a7b
