In a world where people are more connected than ever, it’s strange to think that so many people feel lonely. Technology has given the world social media, smartphones, and apps that can link a person to anyone, anywhere, at any time. But somehow, instead of making people feel closer to each other, it’s tearing them apart and making them feel lonelier.

One of the biggest reasons for this is that online interactions often replace real-life ones. Instead of hanging out with friends, people scroll through Instagram or Snapchat, mindlessly getting glimpses of others' lives rather than going out and living our own. Instead of having a real conversation, texts of a quick “lol” or a meme are sent. While these things can be fun in the moment, they don’t give people the same feeling as talking face-to-face with someone. A conversation over coffee feels real and meaningful, but a string of texts or Instagram dm’s can feel empty. The more time people spend glued to screens, the less time they spend building real, tangible relationships.

Another issue with social media is how it makes people perceive themselves. Gazing longly into the lives of strangers makes people feel much worse about themselves. Everyone posts their highlight reel online- the perfect vacation, the best selfie, or their latest accomplishment. When that’s compared to others' messy lives, it’s easy to feel like one is falling behind. A person might have hundreds of followers, but looking at all of those “perfect” posts can leave us feeling more isolated than ever. It’s hard to feel connected when we’re constantly reminded of what we don’t have.

Technology also gives a person the illusion of being busy when they’re really just distracted. Hours can be spent on TikTok or gaming without noticing how much time has passed. These things might keep us entertained for a short amount of time, but they don’t feel the need for a deeper connection. And it’s not just social media- streaming, gaming, and online shopping can pull people into our phones away from the surrounding world. It’s easy to stay in your own bubble when everything you might need is just a click away. Someone might get gratitude once they purchase a new sweater online, but eventually people will realize that their time is slowly being wasted away. Sitting on a phone for hours everyday will cause people to miss the little moments in life that make it worth it, like talking with friends over coffee or a random stranger in the mall.

Now, that’s not saying that technology is all bad. It can help people stay in touch with those people who live far away, it can share creativity with people all over the world, and even find communities that wouldn’t have otherwise been known about. People just need to be careful not to let it take over.

Instead of scrolling on Instagram when one feels lonely, call a friend or go out for a walk and simply experience the world.

At the end of the day, technology is a tool- it’s all about how it’s used. If people let it replace real connections, many people in the world will become much lonelier; however, if it’s used to bring people closer together, it can help everyone feel more connected than ever.