Loneliness is a complex and pervasive issue that affects people across all chapters of their lives. By knowing the main root causes and how the focused remedies work, we can try and lessen the effect it has on society.
 
In a conversation with Minal Patil, Psychologist, Mpower by Aditya Birla group, “In today’s world, loneliness has become the norm, and there are several reasons behind it. Urbanisation is one of them.  We have stopped talking or even engaging with our neighbours as we used to in the past and that is because of digital connectivity. It allows us to connect with people all around the world and also helps us get through the pandemic. This is a prominent contribution to the increase in loneliness and has accustomed us and our habits of staying or working alone.”

Effects Of Loneliness

As urban surroundings push us towards careers that provide us with high-pressure environments to achieve professional success, our priorities of careers also make our personal lives fall behind. It can start from moving out for further studies to travelling for work constantly, the competition that always surrounds us ends up leaving us lonely and unsatisfied. It is easy to feel weak at that moment and feel difficulty in asking for help. Though digital connectivity is still a blessing here as it involves some kind of human interaction, Minal added.
 
Adding to the same, Saurabh Pandey, Founder & CEO, Eloelo - a homegrown live social media platform believes that in the 21st century, the communication landscape has drastically evolved, especially with the rise of social media. Once a one-way communication channel, traditional media has transformed into an interactive world where we constantly engage with multiple tabs and short videos. This transformation has become ubiquitous, with social media now deeply integrated into our daily lives.

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Despite dedicating a significant portion of our time to online activities, many people still experience feelings of loneliness and seek a sense of community. According to the World Health Organization, loneliness can be as detrimental to health as smoking 15 cigarettes a day. This alarming finding has led countries like Japan and the UK to appoint 'Loneliness Ministers' to address the issue.
 
In response to this growing concern, new-generation social media platforms are actively working to mitigate loneliness. These platforms utilise synchronous formats like live streaming and online gaming to foster connections among like-minded individuals. They offer a sense of belonging regardless of location by breaking down geographical barriers.

Effects Of Loneliness (Image Credits: Canva)
 
Ways To Combat Loneliness

Fostering Communities: These platforms enable users to join groups and communities, promoting interaction and shared interests, which helps reduce isolation.
 
Expanding Social Circles: Social media facilitates new friendships and connections. Features like live streaming allow users to engage with individuals globally, fostering deeper and more meaningful relationships.
 
Providing Entertainment: Engaging with diverse content such as videos, photos, and online events provides a temporary escape from loneliness and enhances mood.
 
To sum up, Minal said “Loneliness is a constant issue in poorer regions. The economic hardships, migration, and lack of community support. The cultural stigmas surrounding mental health can cause problems in individuals from expressing their feelings of loneliness. Addressing an issue this complex requires a deep understanding of the root causes and implementing the necessary resolution.”

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