Clay Routledge explains at National Review Online one important reason to worry about people who spend all day glued to their technological devices.
Most people understand the pain of loneliness. But few may realize just how harmful feeling alone, isolated, or excluded can be to the health of individuals and society. Loneliness is a major risk factor for depression, suicide, and cognitive decline. Feeling alone or left out also causes existential anxiety. …
… The paradox of modern social life is that the more technology affords people ways to stay connected to loved ones and make new connections with others all over the globe, the more disconnected and lonely we may be becoming. Americans today, compared with those of decades past, are far less likely to know by name and interact with their neighbors, carpool or take public transportation to work, participate in civic and religious organizations, and feel that they have close friends they can confide in. …
… Contrary to popular belief, decreased socializing among young Americans is not because they are more overwhelmed with homework or other responsibilities. Instead, according to Twenge, time once allocated to real human contact is now being spent with electronic devices. The years of youth that were once considered fertile ground for forming lifelong social bonds and finding a mate are increasingly being spent staring at a screen and hitting the like button, desperately hoping that others will respond in kind. It is becoming apparent that though social media can serve many positive societal functions, it is a poor substitute for a traditional social life.
To be clear, it isn’t just young people substituting electronic devices for real social interactions; Americans of all ages are retreating to their screens. And there is evidence that this phenomenon is contributing to political polarization. The General Social Survey finds that only about a third of Americans today think people can be trusted. According to the Pew Research Center, only half say they trust most or all of their neighbors, and Millennials are significantly less trusting of others than older generations.
