Loneliness and Aloneness: How Technology Unites
Loneliness is a very pressing issue, and technology has been faulted for this. Technology is not the problem however. Understanding how technology benefits people rather than hinder them is essential to finding a solution for loneliness. While at first glance technology may seem to be the only culprit, there are many variables that can lead to its misuse. Insight into technology and its many uses is vital to creating a more friendly and beneficial world- loneliness must be understood so that it may be solved.
Loneliness is a catastrophic ailment that can have devastating effects on the afflicted. Isolation from other people may give a person the feeling of loneliness, but the solitude is not …show more content…
Why does this matter? A common misconstruction is that simply being away from other people is a sign of loneliness. Understanding the contrast further proves the seriousness of the illness. Depending on the strength of relationships or the lack thereof, ailments can afflict harmful side effects. A prevalent example of the appalling effects of loneliness can be found through the elderly. According to the article Reducing loneliness amongst older people: a systematic search and narrative review, “Holt-Lunstad, Smith, and Layton (2010) meta-analysis of 148 studies investigating the impact of social relationships concluded that there was a ‘50% greater likelihood of survival’ for those who had adequate relationships over those whose relationships were deemed poor or insufficient” (Hagan, Robert, et al. 683) ,commensurating the harmful effects of unchosen solitude. Loneliness is a horrible ailment, but technology has made itself a prominent …show more content…
Applications found on newer devices have a assortment of services that were unavailable before creation. Contact services such as Skype, for example, allow for seamless face-to-face communication. Skype smooth video call service allows for conference that would have been otherwise impossible. One example is the inaccessibility parents may face with their children. Constant business trips or divorce can separate a parent and child, which may give the child a strong sense of loneliness. Although the parent may not be physically present, Skype allows for both to see each other face to face. According to the article 1-800-SKYPE-ME, “Virtual parenting is recommended to create meaningful long-distance parenting. Technologies such as telephone, e-mail, instant messaging, and Skype, or other Webcam applications, provide the nonresident parent the opportunity to play a greater role in the child’s day-to-day life.” (Himel, Andrea, et al 460). Lonesomeness is not always influenced by physical socialization, but rather the knowledge that there is someone available. If someone were to only feel alone because they are alone, that is not loneliness. Skype makes meetings possible, and can allow for a constant relationship that was impossible before. Without online communication, a child would be left with a divided and unfulfilling family life. Direct messaging plays a similar role in communications. Quick conversations can be held
Loneliness is a very pressing issue, and technology has been faulted for this. Technology is not the problem however. Understanding how technology benefits people rather than hinder them is essential to finding a solution for loneliness. While at first glance technology may seem to be the only culprit, there are many variables that can lead to its misuse. Insight into technology and its many uses is vital to creating a more friendly and beneficial world- loneliness must be understood so that it may be solved.
Loneliness is a catastrophic ailment that can have devastating effects on the afflicted. Isolation from other people may give a person the feeling of loneliness, but the solitude is not …show more content…
Why does this matter? A common misconstruction is that simply being away from other people is a sign of loneliness. Understanding the contrast further proves the seriousness of the illness. Depending on the strength of relationships or the lack thereof, ailments can afflict harmful side effects. A prevalent example of the appalling effects of loneliness can be found through the elderly. According to the article Reducing loneliness amongst older people: a systematic search and narrative review, “Holt-Lunstad, Smith, and Layton (2010) meta-analysis of 148 studies investigating the impact of social relationships concluded that there was a ‘50% greater likelihood of survival’ for those who had adequate relationships over those whose relationships were deemed poor or insufficient” (Hagan, Robert, et al. 683) ,commensurating the harmful effects of unchosen solitude. Loneliness is a horrible ailment, but technology has made itself a prominent …show more content…
Applications found on newer devices have a assortment of services that were unavailable before creation. Contact services such as Skype, for example, allow for seamless face-to-face communication. Skype smooth video call service allows for conference that would have been otherwise impossible. One example is the inaccessibility parents may face with their children. Constant business trips or divorce can separate a parent and child, which may give the child a strong sense of loneliness. Although the parent may not be physically present, Skype allows for both to see each other face to face. According to the article 1-800-SKYPE-ME, “Virtual parenting is recommended to create meaningful long-distance parenting. Technologies such as telephone, e-mail, instant messaging, and Skype, or other Webcam applications, provide the nonresident parent the opportunity to play a greater role in the child’s day-to-day life.” (Himel, Andrea, et al 460). Lonesomeness is not always influenced by physical socialization, but rather the knowledge that there is someone available. If someone were to only feel alone because they are alone, that is not loneliness. Skype makes meetings possible, and can allow for a constant relationship that was impossible before. Without online communication, a child would be left with a divided and unfulfilling family life. Direct messaging plays a similar role in communications. Quick conversations can be held