If you’ve been following the news over the past year, it’s clear that the topics of loneliness and isolation have dominated the zeitgeist, especially with the rise of social media and our collective fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.
Loneliness is causing our physical and mental health to suffer | DW News
This isn’t new to the U.S. Social disconnection was on the rise before our reliance on online interactions and a disease that forced us all to cocoon for dear life. And it remains a serious concern, as documented in “The Role of Entertainment Technology in Creating a Better Experience,” a new report commissioned by entertainment technology company Xperi.
Last year, the U.S. Surgeon General reported that about one in two American adults reported feeling lonely. It’s a staggering statistic with far-reaching implications for the media and beyond.
Add to that the fact that loneliness is associated with a greater risk of health problems, including heart disease, depression and anxiety, and alarm bells should be ringing. Some also see our shift to a more tech-centric society as exacerbating this problem.
