Lonely Young People and Technology

Abstract

Loneliness is a subjective, distressing feeling of being disconnected from a desired group or intimate relationship. Most children and adolescents experience loneliness at some time but for 10-20% of young people it can be severe and chronic. While there are many avenues for help for distressed young people, such as friends and family as well as the professional help of counselors and psychologists, lonely young people often do not seek help. Technological resources such as self-help information websites, social networking sites and web-based help-lines are some ways which lonely young people try to ameliorate their loneliness. These methods are cost effective, accessible, constantly updated and often provide anonymity. It is unknown how effective information sites are for loneliness but it is known that social networking sites such as Facebook do not always reduce feelings of loneliness. In addition, from the records of web-based help-lines it would seem that lonely young people do not often utilize these services. The reasons for loneliness in young people still not being addressed by technology are discussed.