Chronic loneliness in young people is increasing...

Pointing out that artificial intelligence can say all the words people want to hear in the context of social support in crisis situations, Sociologist Prof. Ebulfez Süleymanlı stated that "The fact that people prefer to communicate with artificial intelligence for a long time instead of people will deepen loneliness, as in the case of social media."

Pointing to the results of a large-scale study conducted in the UK, Prof. Ebulfez Süleymanlı said that "It has been revealed that loneliness can have worse consequences for human health than obesity, can increase the risk of premature death by 26 percent, and is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, dementia, stroke, depression and anxiety."

Üsküdar University, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Department of Sociology Instructor Prof. Ebulfez Süleymanlı evaluated the increasing sense of loneliness in young people in the digital age.

Chronic loneliness in young people is increasing!

Stating that the sense of chronic loneliness has increased in the world in recent years, especially among young people, Prof. Ebulfez Süleymanlı expressed that "The size of the problem is surprisingly high. 3.8 million people in the UK suffer from chronic loneliness. In the U.S., 36 percent of adults and 61 percent of teens experience severe loneliness. In a study conducted by the German Bertelsmann Foundation in March 2024 on a sample of 2,532 people across Germany, almost half (46 percent) of young people aged 16-30 who participated in the survey stated that they felt lonely."

There are young people who even forget to greet their close circles...

Noting that according to the results of the comprehensive loneliness survey they carry out every year throughout Turkey, 40 percent of young people between the ages of 18-24 and 26 percent of people over the age of 55 say that they often feel lonely, Prof. Ebulfez Süleymanlı continued his remarks as follows: "When the change in the feeling of loneliness on the basis of age groups compared to 2021 is examined, it is seen that there is an increase in the feeling of loneliness in all groups over the age of 25 compared to 2021. It is often said that digital technology addiction increases loneliness; however, other factors are also effective. Reasons such as the lack of a social environment due to the intensity of school and working life, the pressure to always get the highest grade in education life and to be the best young person in the family are also factors that deprive young people of socialization and trigger their loneliness. On the other hand, due to the constant protective attitudes of modern parents, young people are forced to communicate because they grow up with a self-centered understanding. Unfortunately, we have young people who even forget to greet each other and their close circles. This situation can deepen the feeling of loneliness of young people as it prevents them from forming healthy relationships."

They do not want to spend time and effort on real dating...

Emphasizing that social media, which is widely used by young people, is seen as both a means of socialization and an area that causes loneliness, depending on the way they are used, Prof. Ebulfez Süleymanlı said that "Excessive use of the internet and social media leads to a decrease in face-to-face communication in real social relationships, especially among young people, and therefore leads to social isolation. The inability to be physically together, superficial forms of communication with short messages and emojis on social media further trigger the feeling of loneliness. Many young people don't even want to invest time and effort into real dating, even romantic relationships happen nowadays through dating sites. Studies also show that young people who use social media more frequently have higher levels of loneliness. There is a two-sided effect here. They state that loneliness increases the use of social media, as well as excessive orientation to social media can increase loneliness."

Long-term communication with artificial intelligence deepens loneliness...

Noting that young people who try to eliminate loneliness in the new social areas created by social networks can become even more lonely, Prof. Ebulfez Süleymanlı continued his remarks as follows:

"The increase in social isolation can also cause alienation over time and make the individual feel lonelier. Apart from social media, another current topic related to loneliness is artificial intelligence. Artificial intelligence technologies are also a new phenomenon that is developing rapidly today and can already communicate and simulate human emotions well. Nowadays, when we talk about our relationship problems and tell them that we feel very bad, ChatGPT, for example, can respond to us with great compassion. In the context of social support, it can say all the words that people want to hear. Therefore, artificial intelligence can be seen as a temporary solution in moments of crisis when both young people and other age groups feel that there is no one left to turn to in the near future. In fact, some experts say that artificial intelligence can help 'break this cycle' by giving people the opportunity to practice and improve their social skills, based on the approach that the decrease in human self-esteem increases loneliness. However, moderation is important here as well. Because people's preference for long-term communication with artificial intelligence instead of people will deepen loneliness, as in the case of social media."

Lonely young people are more likely to be unemployed and uneducated

Drawing attention to the effects of loneliness on young people's social skills, academic achievements or career goals in the long term, Prof. Ebulfez Süleymanlı stated that "Studies show that young people who live alone are more likely to be unemployed or uneducated, see themselves as less able to work, and are lower on the social ladder than their more socially successful peers. British scientists from King's College London and the University of Greenwich conducted a long-term study on a large sample of people found that loneliness in early adolescence weakens a person's future socio-economic status. The researchers tracked the development of 2,232 people born in England and Wales between 1994 and 1995. The loneliness levels and social status of the 12, 18 and 26-year-olds were evaluated. Participants' employment status and employability were assessed at the age of 18. Although loneliness has a clear impact on mental health from an early age, the study found that loneliness also negatively affects a person's employment opportunities."

Loneliness is worse than obesity!

Pointing to the result of the research, Prof. Ebulfez Süleymanlı stated that "The conclusion drawn from this is that loneliness can have indirect consequences on a person's ability to compete in the labor market. Not only does this reduce one's life chances, but it also directly harms the economy. It also found that loneliness can have worse consequences for human health than obesity, can increase the risk of premature death by 26 percent, and is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, dementia, stroke, depression and anxiety. Social connections are vital for young people. This is the key to their harmonious development. Higher mental functions develop in principle through interaction with other people. Without communication and intellectual stimulation, they can even atrophy."

It is recommended to do popular work more often...

Making suggestions to young people to reduce the feeling of loneliness, Prof. Ebulfez Süleymanlı concluded his remarks as follows: "Whether we want it or not, we all face an intense or low level of loneliness. This feeling can appear suddenly, or it can become our constant companion. In any case, it is very important to notice this factor in a timely manner. Strengthening social connections, focusing attention on other people and the outside world, keeping relationships with the close environment, family and friends alive, sports and hobby activities with close friends, doing favorite jobs more frequently are the methods recommended by experts to avoid or get rid of the feeling of chronic loneliness. In order to minimize the harmful effects of social isolation, one should not hesitate to seek help from psychologists and psychotherapists. Most of the time, one just needs to be heard so that they do not feel alone."

Üsküdar News Agency (ÜNA)