{"id":18673,"date":"2024-11-05T15:40:06","date_gmt":"2024-11-05T14:40:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.freieresleben.com\/lonely-in-the-digital-age-the-quest-for-humanity\/"},"modified":"2026-01-30T15:50:51","modified_gmt":"2026-01-30T14:50:51","slug":"lonely-digital-age-the-quest-for-humanity","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.freieresleben.com\/en\/lonely-digital-age-the-quest-for-humanity\/","title":{"rendered":"Lonely in the digital age | The quest for humanity"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"18673\" class=\"elementor elementor-18673 elementor-18608\" data-elementor-post-type=\"post\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-11e1d933 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"11e1d933\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-3dcb73de\" data-id=\"3dcb73de\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b11369f elementor-toc--minimized-on-tablet elementor-widget elementor-widget-table-of-contents\" data-id=\"b11369f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;headings_by_tags&quot;:[&quot;h3&quot;],&quot;exclude_headings_by_selector&quot;:[],&quot;no_headings_message&quot;:&quot;No headings were found on this page.&quot;,&quot;marker_view&quot;:&quot;numbers&quot;,&quot;minimize_box&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;minimized_on&quot;:&quot;tablet&quot;,&quot;hierarchical_view&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;min_height&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;min_height_tablet&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;min_height_mobile&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]}}\" data-widget_type=\"table-of-contents.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-toc__header\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h4 class=\"elementor-toc__header-title\">\n\t\t\t\tOverview\t\t\t<\/h4>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-toc__toggle-button elementor-toc__toggle-button--expand\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-controls=\"elementor-toc__b11369f\" aria-expanded=\"true\" aria-label=\"Open table of contents\"><i aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"fas fa-chevron-down\"><\/i><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-toc__toggle-button elementor-toc__toggle-button--collapse\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-controls=\"elementor-toc__b11369f\" aria-expanded=\"true\" aria-label=\"Close table of contents\"><i aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"fas fa-chevron-up\"><\/i><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-toc__b11369f\" class=\"elementor-toc__body\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-toc__spinner-container\">\n\t\t\t\t<i class=\"elementor-toc__spinner eicon-animation-spin eicon-loading\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-cfa18a4 elementor-section-stretched elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"cfa18a4\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;stretch_section&quot;:&quot;section-stretched&quot;,&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-d8e3114\" data-id=\"d8e3114\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d1c25d8 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"d1c25d8\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Introduction<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5251fd8 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"5251fd8\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Recently, many people have told me they feel <b>increasingly lonely<\/b>. In these conversations, the impact of the <u>digital age<\/u> often comes up. What\u2019s concerning is that many of these changes are no longer discussed, acknowledged, or integrated. What seemed unusual just yesterday has now become the new normal. Has anything really changed?<\/p><p>While some people struggle with growing <b>loneliness and disconnection<\/b> due to <u>shifts in how we interact<\/u>, others try to <b>escape their loneliness<\/b> by escaping in use of digital media. They might not even realize how truly <b>lonely<\/b> they are. It\u2019s a vicious cycle.<\/p><p>This post isn\u2019t about judging the changes or being overly negative. Instead, it aims to make these shifts more visible and to encourage those who feel lonely to <b>reach out and connect<\/b> with others. You are not alone!<\/p><p>It\u2019s also an invitation to take a step back and make more <b>conscious choices<\/b> about <u>how we connect with each other<\/u>. How much <b>attention and respect<\/b> do we want to offer each other in these moments? Let\u2019s put our smartphones aside and give each other our <b>full attention<\/b>. We all need this!<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-16226f8 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"16226f8\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-f2baf0d\" data-id=\"f2baf0d\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-aec4a5b elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"aec4a5b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\"><b>Loneliness<\/b> in the digital age | <b>Changes<\/b><\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-853353b elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"853353b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>In the digital age, we are witnessing a profound shift in how people interact with each other. Social media and digital technologies may <b>connect<\/b> us, but at the same time, they often <b>isolate<\/b> us.<\/p>\n\n<p>According to a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.apa.org\/news\/press\/releases\/stress\/2020\/report-october\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><u><b>survey by the American Psychological Association<\/b><\/u><\/a> (from 2020), <u>over 61% of young adults in the U.S. report experiencing <b>feelings of loneliness<\/b><\/u>. This figure has increased significantly over the past decade, reflecting the <u>growing <b>reliance<\/b> on digital interactions<\/u> and the resulting impact on emotional well-being.<\/p>\n\n<p>While digital platforms offer a way to communicate, they often fail to meet our fundamental <u>human need for genuine <b>closeness<\/b> and <b>connection<\/b><\/u>. The overuse of these technologies can contribute to a sense of emotional disconnection, despite the illusion of being socially engaged.<\/p>\n\n<p>In this article, I invite you to reflect and take an honest look at these changes. Together, we will explore how our <u>social interactions have evolved<\/u>, the effects on <u>human qualities and social skills<\/u>, and how we might use digital media more mindfully to prevent a growing <b>culture of loneliness<\/b>.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4aa0b49 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"4aa0b49\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Changes in social interaction<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-658bf55 elementor-widget__width-initial elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"658bf55\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>The rise of digitalization and social media has drastically altered the <b><u>quality of interpersonal relationships<\/u><\/b>. Research shows that people today engage in <u>fewer face-to-face interactions compared to just a few decades ago<\/u>.<\/p><p>According to a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.commonsensemedia.org\/sites\/default\/files\/research\/report\/8-18-census-integrated-report-final-web_0.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><u><b>statistical survey<\/b><\/u><\/a>, <b>teens<\/b> aged 12-18 spend an average of <b><u>more than seven hours per day in front of screens<\/u><\/b>. This leaves <u>little time for direct, in-person social contact<\/u>. These findings are from 2021, and with the increasing use of tablets in schools, this trend is likely to have continued growing in recent years.<\/p><p>This increased digital presence leads to a <b>habitual reliance<\/b> on a form of interaction that lacks many <u>key human attributes<\/u> found in real-life social connections. A significant portion of <b>nonverbal communication<\/b> is lost: facial expressions, gestures, and body language are absent. As a result, the ability to perceive, process, and communicate nonverbally is not being <u>learned, practiced<\/u>, or <u>developed<\/u>. It\u2019s likely that our <b>sensitivity and attunement<\/b> to subtle social cues are diminishing because the opportunity to practice these skills is lacking.<\/p><p>When we notice this in our interactions with others, it can feel <b>lonely<\/b>\u2014because the \u201cfiner\u201d aspects of connection are missing.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9e96f67 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"9e96f67\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Decline of <b>interpersonal<\/b> qualities &amp; <b>skills<\/b><\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-de49c94 elementor-widget__width-initial elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"de49c94\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Excessive use of digital and social media can lead to the erosion of essential human qualities such as <b>empathy, active listening<\/b>, and the <b>ability to resolve conflicts<\/b>. A comprehensive <a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1177\/1088868310377395\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><b><u>meta-analysis<\/u><\/b><\/a> spanning the years 1979-2009 revealed that heavy social media use among college students resulted in a significant <u><b>decline in empathy<\/b><\/u> and a <b><u>distorted perception of others<\/u><\/b>. And this study was conducted over a decade ago, in 2011!<\/p><p>The focus on digital interactions contributes to a noticeable <b>reduction in empathy<\/b> and increasingly alters our <b>ability to perceive others accurately<\/b>. As face-to-face, personal interactions decline and the option to retreat into the <u>digital sphere<\/u> becomes more common, we are missing out on <b>in-person experiences<\/b> where we can develop <b>sensitivity<\/b> and hone our skills in <b>resolving real conflicts<\/b>. This might also help explain why so many people today feel overwhelmed and stressed. For further insights, see <b><u>6 Steps to Overcoming Stress and Estrangement<\/u><\/b>.<\/p><p>Are we losing the ability to connect with one another? Are the tools of human interaction fading away?<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0e475cf elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"0e475cf\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\"><b>Social development<\/b> &amp; <b>Emotional<\/b> <b>regulation<\/b> in young people<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4c5067a elementor-widget__width-initial elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"4c5067a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Adolescents who engage heavily with digital media often struggle to develop <b>core social skills<\/b> and effective <b>emotional regulation<\/b>. A study by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.researchgate.net\/publication\/304032737_The_impact_of_online_social_networking_on_adolescent_psychological_well-being_WB_a_population-level_analysis_of_Korean_school-aged_children\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><u><b>Romer, D., Bagot, K., &amp; Struik, L. L. (2020)<\/b><\/u><\/a> found that excessive screen media use is linked to <b>lower psychological well-being<\/b>, with severe cases (e.g., bullying or cyberbullying) even associated with suicidal tendencies. The findings also suggest that <b>increased screen time<\/b> is correlated with <b>deficits in social skills<\/b> and <b>impaired emotional regulation<\/b> among children and adolescents.<\/p>\n\n<p>These results highlight that <u>real, face-to-face interactions are essential<\/u> for developing <b>social competencies<\/b> and learning how to <b>manage one&#8217;s emotions<\/b>. We are talking about skills that are crucial for healthy development and overall well-being.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2e6eca2 elementor-grid-1 elementor-grid-tablet-1 elementor-posts--align-center elementor-grid-mobile-1 elementor-posts--thumbnail-top elementor-posts--show-avatar elementor-card-shadow-yes elementor-posts__hover-gradient elementor-widget elementor-widget-posts\" data-id=\"2e6eca2\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;cards_columns&quot;:&quot;1&quot;,&quot;cards_columns_tablet&quot;:&quot;1&quot;,&quot;cards_columns_mobile&quot;:&quot;1&quot;,&quot;cards_row_gap&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:35,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;cards_row_gap_tablet&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;cards_row_gap_mobile&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]}}\" data-widget_type=\"posts.cards\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-posts-container elementor-posts elementor-posts--skin-cards elementor-grid\" role=\"list\">\n\t\t\t\t<article class=\"elementor-post elementor-grid-item post-18691 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-inner-universe tag-depression-en tag-mental-health-en tag-stress-en\" role=\"listitem\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__card\">\n\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-post__thumbnail__link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.freieresleben.com\/en\/stress-alienation-depress-exiting-spiral\/\" tabindex=\"-1\"><div class=\"elementor-post__thumbnail\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1707\" src=\"https:\/\/www.freieresleben.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/mitchell-y-2P3vvPD-gKs-unsplash-scaled.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-18693\" alt=\"stress alienation depression\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.freieresleben.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/mitchell-y-2P3vvPD-gKs-unsplash-scaled.jpg 2560w, https:\/\/www.freieresleben.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/mitchell-y-2P3vvPD-gKs-unsplash-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.freieresleben.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/mitchell-y-2P3vvPD-gKs-unsplash-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.freieresleben.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/mitchell-y-2P3vvPD-gKs-unsplash-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.freieresleben.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/mitchell-y-2P3vvPD-gKs-unsplash-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.freieresleben.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/mitchell-y-2P3vvPD-gKs-unsplash-2048x1365.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px\" \/><\/div><\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__badge\">INNER UNIVERSE<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__avatar\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__text\">\n\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-post__title\">\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.freieresleben.com\/en\/stress-alienation-depress-exiting-spiral\/\">\n\t\t\t\tStress, Alienation &amp; Depression | 6 Steps exiting the Spiral\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/h2>\n\t\t\n\t\t<a class=\"elementor-post__read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/www.freieresleben.com\/en\/stress-alienation-depress-exiting-spiral\/\" aria-label=\"Read more about Stress, Alienation &amp; Depression | 6 Steps exiting the Spiral\" tabindex=\"-1\">\n\t\t\tRead more \"\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0f53197 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"0f53197\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\"><b>Neurosynaptic<\/b> changes | Brain development<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3177d4b elementor-widget__width-initial elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"3177d4b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>The <b>impact of intensive media use<\/b> (including online gaming) during adolescence on <b>altered brain development<\/b> has been documented in several studies. The development of brain structures in young people continues at least until age 18, making this a critical period where external influences can have lasting effects. However, findings on the effects of digital media remain mixed. A <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/full\/10.31887\/DCNS.2019.21.3\/skuehn\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><b><u>review article from 2019<\/u><\/b><\/a> concluded that the <u>varied outcomes of different studies show significant discrepancies<\/u>, highlighting the need for further research.<\/p><p>There is now widespread acknowledgment that <b>digital media exposure influences neurosynaptic development<\/b>. This has been observed particularly in brain regions associated with <b>attention, emotional regulation<\/b>, and <b>impulse control<\/b>.<\/p><p>Our digital evolution is therefore directly shaping the <u>neural development of future generations<\/u>. As caregivers and society, we bear the responsibility to create environments where children can learn safely, protecting them from potential risks they are not yet capable of managing on their own.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-64f1307 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"64f1307\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Digital media <b>dependency<\/b> | <b>Behavioral changes<\/b><\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a496f35 elementor-widget__width-initial elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"a496f35\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>The use of digital media, particularly social platforms, carries addictive components that primarily affect young people. In the book <a href=\"https:\/\/link.springer.com\/book\/10.1007\/978-3-030-62106-3\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong><em>Psychology of Substance Abuse<\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/a>, an entire chapter is dedicated to digital media addiction. According to <a href=\"https:\/\/link.springer.com\/chapter\/10.1007\/978-3-030-62106-3_3\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><u><b>&#8220;New Forms of Addictions: Digital Media&#8221; by Reichert et al.<\/b><\/u><\/a> (2021), digital addiction is classified as a <u><b>\u201cnon-substance-related addiction\u201d<\/b><\/u> based on APA criteria. Yet, addiction is still addiction, regardless of the substance or medium.<\/p>\n\n<p>The chapter explains how the <b><u>mechanisms of social media<\/u><\/b>\u2014such as likes, notifications, and reward systems\u2014<b><u>create dependency<\/u><\/b>. Similar <u>neural pathways are activated<\/u> as seen in substance abuse disorders. Over time, the usage becomes increasingly <b>compulsive<\/b>, influencing <b>behavior<\/b> by diminishing <u>attention span<\/u> and reducing the <u>desire for genuine social interaction<\/u>.<\/p>\n\n<p>If even adults find it difficult to self-regulate their digital consumption, what chance do children and adolescents have?<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f6b8d37 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"f6b8d37\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">The common <b>blind spot<\/b> | Recognition of <b>Digital media dependency <\/b><\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-dd3cc14 elementor-widget__width-initial elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"dd3cc14\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>While it feels like almost everyone today is caught up in some form of <b>digital dependency<\/b>, it&#8217;s becoming increasingly difficult to identify and acknowledge this as an addiction\u2014both in ourselves and in others.<\/p>\n\n<p>Just take a look around you: in the street, at a caf\u00e9, or even among friends. Who still uses their smartphone with full awareness? We all find ourselves needing to constantly <u>monitor and discipline<\/u> our usage, which is a clear sign of <b><u>addictive behavior<\/u><\/b>. If we are <b><u>completely honest<\/u><\/b>, we can feel the pull quite distinctly. Neither technological progress nor its normalization has changed this; in fact, it has only made it worse.<\/p>\n\n<p>Much like substance-related addictions (such as alcoholism or nicotine dependence), people with digital addictions often seek out <b>like-minded peers<\/b> who share their habit, thereby reinforcing and &#8220;normalizing&#8221; the behavior. This is a dynamic we are <b>collectively<\/b> stuck in, creating a shared, massive blind spot. We tend to <b>downplay the seriousness of digital dependencies<\/b> and validate each other\u2019s behaviors.<\/p>\n\n<p>I, too, face my own challenges with this and am acutely aware of the <b>gravitational pull<\/b> of digital media.<\/p>\n\n<p>At the same time, it still feels strange to me when people get visibly <b>stressed<\/b> because they &#8220;have to upload their vacation photos to Instagram.&#8221; It genuinely saddens me when I see four people sitting together at a table only interacting by showing each other reels and discussing them. <u>Reality has shifted entirely<\/u>, and it seems there isn\u2019t much happening in their own lives anymore.<\/p>\n\n<p>When people we care about <b>disappear into digital voids<\/b>, it can feel profoundly <b>lonely<\/b>.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b6f653b elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"b6f653b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Digital communication | <b>avoidance<\/b> of <b>conflicts<\/b> &amp; conflict resolution<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4ddac93 elementor-widget__width-initial elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"4ddac93\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Engaging in virtual communication often leads to the <b>avoidance of direct confrontation<\/b> with real-life, often <b>uncomfortable conflicts<\/b>. At the same time, <b>social inhibitions<\/b> tend to diminish, as people can hide behind a veil of anonymity. It becomes easier to evade confrontation entirely on digital platforms: one can simply <b>ignore, not respond<\/b>, or even <b>block someone<\/b>, effectively silencing them. While this provides a sense of autonomy (we get to choose who we engage with and what topics we want to discuss), it can also result in us <b>crossing lines<\/b>, <b>forgetting that we are interacting with real people<\/b>, and ultimately impairing our <b>conflict resolution skills<\/b>\u2014skills that may either wither away or never fully develop in the first place.<\/p>\n\n<p>A <a href=\"https:\/\/www.psychiatricnursing.org\/article\/S0883-9417(22)00174-1\/abstract\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><b><u>recent study from 2023<\/u><\/b><\/a> found that <u>increased social media usage<\/u> is linked to a <b>decline in real-life interpersonal conflict resolution abilities<\/b>. This suggests that people who primarily communicate through digital means are less capable of resolving conflicts face-to-face, which in turn hinders the development of essential social skills.<\/p>\n\n<p>Conflicts, and the way we navigate them, allow us to <b>grow<\/b> and contribute to the development of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.freieresleben.com\/en\/10-points-on-empaths-challenges-self-care\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><b><u>empathy<\/u><\/b><\/a> and self-reflection. Excessive digital communication, however, obstructs this crucial social growth.<\/p>\n\n<p>When conflicts that are important to resolve are no longer addressed but instead avoided or ignored, it can leave us feeling increasingly <b>isolated<\/b> and <b>lonely<\/b>.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1ccd491 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"1ccd491\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Alienation from <b>preconditions<\/b> of true <b>connection<\/b><\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-cd62777 elementor-widget__width-initial elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"cd62777\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>In conclusion, it is clear that the ongoing digitalization and increased use of social media can lead to a detachment from <b>essential human qualities<\/b> and <b>skills<\/b>. Empathy, conflict resolution, consideration, genuine engagement, and social understanding are qualities that gradually diminish over time.<\/p>\n\n<p>It is no surprise that these developments contribute to <b>loneliness<\/b> as human beings. There is no <b>substitute<\/b> for <b>real, face-to-face interactions<\/b>. Not without paying a high price. We must all\u2014each one of us\u2014be vigilant to ensure that we do not create a <b>culture of isolation<\/b>, where the fundamental <b>ability to connect<\/b> gradually fades away across generations.<\/p>\n\n<p>Unfortunately, the sheer volume of <u>digital distractions<\/u> makes it less and less likely that we will become aware of our <b>loneliness<\/b>. As human beings, we tend to avoid <b>unpleasant feelings<\/b> and avoid confronting ourselves. Whenever something feels &#8220;off,&#8221; a quick glance at the next Instagram reel can provide a &#8220;covering&#8221; effect.<\/p>\n\n<p>As a coach specializing in consciousness and self-liberation, this is something that concerns me deeply. It\u2019s not about the digital age itself, but about our <b>conscious approach<\/b> to it.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2b9e2e7 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"2b9e2e7\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Lack of discourse on the <b>negative effects<\/b> of digitalization<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c94ef1a elementor-widget__width-initial elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"c94ef1a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Just a few years ago, the <b>risks<\/b> and <b>negative effects of digital media<\/b> were a major topic in public debates. Today, however, the <u>discussion has shifted<\/u>. As often happens, the focus has moved to those topics that will (or should) become financially significant in the future. The increased discussion around <b>AI as a substitute for human partners<\/b> does not, however, mean that the risks and negative effects discussed earlier have disappeared.<\/p>\n\n<p>As I discovered during my research for this article, the focus of the research on this topic has simply shifted in a different direction. Research has moved away from examining risks and effects to exploring opportunities (e.g., in education).<\/p>\n\n<p>The shift in critical discourse means that we are uncritically accepting a <b>new normal<\/b> without thoroughly considering or discussing the general, <b>long-term effects<\/b> of increasing digitalization on our society. An important point is that we are heading toward a culture of isolation and loneliness, yet we no longer feel it because we can suppress or overlay these feelings with a quick glance at our smartphones.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-e6d56ec elementor-section-stretched elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"e6d56ec\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;stretch_section&quot;:&quot;section-stretched&quot;,&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-0b36684\" data-id=\"0b36684\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1dce560 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"1dce560\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\"><b>Humanity<\/b> as priority | <b>Conscious<\/b> Integration of  digitalization <\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d6edb2d elementor-widget__width-initial elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"d6edb2d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Just like how our decisions reinforced big companies to take over the small shops in the pedestrian zones during the past years, we\u2019re now at a crossroads again, thanks to the rise of digitalization and AI. But this time, the questions are much <b>bigger<\/b>, and they hit right at the <b><u>heart of what makes us human<\/u><\/b>:<\/p><ul><li><u>How important<\/u> is it to you to actually talk to a <b>real person<\/b>?<\/li><li>How much <u>do you care<\/u> about the <b>human touch<\/b> in a product or service?<\/li><li><u>Would you want to be represented<\/u> by a <b>digital avatar<\/b>? Is that really you?<\/li><li><u>Where<\/u> do you actually live your <b>real life<\/b>?<\/li><li>Would you want to put <b>your life<\/b> out there <u>in the digital world<\/u>?<\/li><li>Do you <b>connect with yourself<\/b>, your <b><u>inner world<\/u><\/b> (even if it feels uncomfortable), or do you <u>prefer getting lost<\/u> in the internet?<\/li><li>Are you <u>willing to face your <b>own depth<\/b><\/u>, even if it means facing your loneliness and your humanity, or do you escape into the distraction of a fake reality?<\/li><li>Do you believe in the mystical, the unknown, the unexplainable, and the <b>divine<\/b> even when it <u>doesn\u2019t give you quick answers<\/u> (like ChatGPT, for example)?<\/li><\/ul><p><b><u><br \/>So, what\u2019s your choice?<\/u><\/b><\/p><p>Your choice really does matter!<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-1d413c4 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"1d413c4\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-7b7a82c\" data-id=\"7b7a82c\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-821d71a elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"821d71a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Curing <b>loneliness <\/b>| <b>Conscious off-line<\/b> experiences!<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-db4368e elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"db4368e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>If you&#8217;re feeling lonely and disconnected right now, I invite you to:<\/p><ul><li>Make the <b>choices<\/b> above, but do it consciously!<\/li><li>Put your <b>smartphone down<\/b> and encourage the people around you to do the same.<\/li><li><b>Share this article<\/b> with anyone you feel has &#8220;lost themselves&#8221; to the internet.<\/li><li>Tell someone today that <b>you love them<\/b> and let them know what <b>human strengths &amp; weaknesses<\/b> you appreciate about them.<\/li><li>Focus on the <b>here &amp; now<\/b> in your interactions &#8211; do something fun, crazy, new!<\/li><li>Do something that you can <b>touch, feel, and experience<\/b> for real!<\/li><li>Go out into <b>nature<\/b>, take a dip in a freezing lake, lie down on the <b>earth<\/b> and <b>feel yourself<\/b>!<\/li><li>Go deep with others if you feel like it, talk about <b>fears, dreams<\/b>, and just let each other be.<\/li><li>Experience <b>lightness<\/b> too, get silly, and laugh!<\/li><li>Talk openly about <b>these developments &amp; your feelings<\/b>.<\/li><li>Become the kind of person who <b>invites others into lightness, depth &amp; humanity<\/b>.<\/li><li><b>Limit your kids&#8217; digital consumption<\/b>, even if others raise their eyebrows.<\/li><li>Be <b>honest with yourself<\/b> about your own digital habits.<\/li><li>Celebrate your <b>humanity<\/b> and develop the <b>courage to face yourself<\/b>.<\/li><\/ul><p><br \/>The use of AI and social media can be useful and enriching. But these technologies can never replace our <b>humanity<\/b>. This article ends with a call to <b style=\"background-color: transparent;\">consciously integrate digital technologies<\/b> into our lives.<\/p><p>This also means having an <b>open discussion<\/b> about what might be <b>lost on the human side<\/b> and what is still <b>ethically acceptable<\/b>\u2014especially when we are aware of all the risks and developments. Where do we draw the line? And where are the <b>digital ethicists<\/b>?<\/p><p>Children and teenagers should be able to <b>grow up healthy<\/b>. We need to make sure they can develop <b>basic social skills<\/b>, build a <b>structurally healthy brain<\/b>, and be protected from <b>potential addiction<\/b> by those responsible for them. Real and digital experiences should be <u>balanced<\/u> according to their age.<\/p><p>It\u2019s essential that we, as individuals and as a society, make conscious choices about <u>what role digitalization plays in our lives<\/u> to prevent our ability to truly connect with others from withering away over time.<\/p><p>I wish you <b>health, happiness &amp; well-being<\/b>\u2014in every sense!<\/p><p>Warm regards, <br \/>Kristina<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-bc7910a elementor-section-stretched elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"bc7910a\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;stretch_section&quot;:&quot;section-stretched&quot;,&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-3c794d2\" data-id=\"3c794d2\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d247334 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"d247334\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Invitation<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e2a9195 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"e2a9195\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tIf you\u2019re considering being accompanied through the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.freieresleben.com\/en\/mirror-process-inner-universe\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong>mirror process of inner work<\/strong><\/span><\/a>, you can book a <a href=\"https:\/\/psysoulogy.youcanbook.me\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><b><u>free preliminary talk in my booking calendar<\/u><\/b><\/a> at the top right of this page or below this entry.\n\n<span style=\"color: var(--e-global-color-text); font-family: var(--e-global-typography-text-font-family), Sans-serif; font-weight: var(--e-global-typography-text-font-weight);\">The <\/span><span style=\"color: var(--e-global-color-text); font-family: var(--e-global-typography-text-font-family), Sans-serif; font-weight: bolder;\">model assumptions<\/span><span style=\"color: var(--e-global-color-text); font-family: var(--e-global-typography-text-font-family), Sans-serif; font-weight: var(--e-global-typography-text-font-weight);\"> are based on years of professional<\/span> <span style=\"color: var(--e-global-color-text); font-family: var(--e-global-typography-text-font-family), Sans-serif; font-weight: bolder;\">observation<\/span><span style=\"color: var(--e-global-color-text); font-family: var(--e-global-typography-text-font-family), Sans-serif; font-weight: var(--e-global-typography-text-font-weight);\">, personal<\/span> <span style=\"color: var(--e-global-color-text); font-family: var(--e-global-typography-text-font-family), Sans-serif; font-weight: bolder;\">experience<\/span><span style=\"color: var(--e-global-color-text); font-family: var(--e-global-typography-text-font-family), Sans-serif; font-weight: var(--e-global-typography-text-font-weight);\">, and knowledge from<\/span> <span style=\"color: var(--e-global-color-text); font-family: var(--e-global-typography-text-font-family), Sans-serif; font-weight: bolder;\">psychoanalysis, psychodynamics, and developmental psychology<\/span><span style=\"color: var(--e-global-color-text); font-family: var(--e-global-typography-text-font-family), Sans-serif; font-weight: var(--e-global-typography-text-font-weight);\">. For more information, please refer to the<\/span> <a style=\"text-decoration-line: underline;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.freieresleben.com\/en\/copyright\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"color: var(--e-global-color-text); font-family: var(--e-global-typography-text-font-family), Sans-serif; font-weight: bolder;\">Copyright<\/span><\/a><span style=\"color: var(--e-global-color-text); font-family: var(--e-global-typography-text-font-family), Sans-serif; font-weight: var(--e-global-typography-text-font-weight);\"> notice. The articles, including assumptions and hypotheses, may be<\/span> <span style=\"color: var(--e-global-color-text); font-family: var(--e-global-typography-text-font-family), Sans-serif; font-weight: bolder;\">shared freely<\/span><span style=\"color: var(--e-global-color-text); font-family: var(--e-global-typography-text-font-family), Sans-serif; font-weight: var(--e-global-typography-text-font-weight);\">, but please always provide<\/span> <span style=\"color: var(--e-global-color-text); font-family: var(--e-global-typography-text-font-family), Sans-serif; font-weight: bolder;\">attribution\u00a0<\/span><span style=\"color: var(--e-global-color-text); font-family: var(--e-global-typography-text-font-family), Sans-serif; font-weight: var(--e-global-typography-text-font-weight);\">(my name and the website).<\/span>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-ce8f871 elementor-section-stretched elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"ce8f871\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;stretch_section&quot;:&quot;section-stretched&quot;,&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-e1ffcfe\" data-id=\"e1ffcfe\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Overview Introduction Recently, many people have told me they feel increasingly lonely. In these conversations, the impact of the digital age often comes up. What\u2019s<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":18661,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_glsr_average":0,"_glsr_ranking":0,"_glsr_reviews":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[856],"tags":[1176,1179,1184,1183,1175,1177,1180,1182,1181,1178,1185],"class_list":["post-18673","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-inner-universe","tag-connection-en","tag-digital-age","tag-digital-communication","tag-human-closeness","tag-isolation-en","tag-loneliness","tag-mental-health-en","tag-modern-loneliness","tag-social-interaction","tag-social-media","tag-social-relationship"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.freieresleben.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18673","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.freieresleben.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.freieresleben.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.freieresleben.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.freieresleben.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=18673"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.freieresleben.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18673\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":20415,"href":"https:\/\/www.freieresleben.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18673\/revisions\/20415"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.freieresleben.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/18661"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.freieresleben.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=18673"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.freieresleben.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=18673"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.freieresleben.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=18673"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}