DistantNews
Support us
🇮🇩 Indonesia /Culture & Society

Social Media's Paradox: Connection and Loneliness in the Digital Age

From Republika · () Indonesian

Translated from Indonesian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

In-depth Named sources Context piece
  • Social media facilitates connection but can create new pressures for young people, including social comparison and fear of missing out (FOMO).
  • Intense social media use can lead to digital fatigue and emotional loops, where users experience rapid mood swings.
  • Mental health experts advise taking breaks from digital platforms and prioritizing direct, in-person connections to combat feelings of loneliness and digital exhaustion.

While social media platforms connect people more easily than ever, they simultaneously introduce new pressures, particularly for younger generations. Habits like constant self-comparison, the fear of missing out (FOMO), and digital fatigue can paradoxically lead individuals to feel more disconnected from themselves and their surroundings.

Sasya Sava, a mental health counselor, highlighted that Generation Z needs dedicated time to rest from the digital world and rebuild direct connections. "Social media makes it easy for us to connect, but it doesn't necessarily make someone feel truly close to others," Sava explained. She noted that intense social media use can trigger social comparison, where individuals measure themselves not only against acquaintances but also against content creators and idealized life portrayals online.

Social media makes it easy for us to connect, but it doesn't necessarily make someone feel truly close to others.

— Sasya SavaExplaining the paradox of social media connecting people superficially while potentially increasing feelings of isolation.

This constant comparison can fuel FOMO, making individuals feel left behind as they observe others' achievements and lifestyles. Sava described this cycle as "toxic." She emphasized that a busy social media feed does not equate to genuine connection, and online interactions differ significantly from the presence and depth of in-person relationships. "Social media is crowded, but it can make us feel lonely," she stated.

Furthermore, excessive digital device use can result in digital fatigue, characterized by an inability to stop consuming content. The rapid shift between different types of content can also cause swift emotional changes, creating an "emotional loop" where the brain experiences dopamine spikes from varied emotional stimuli. Sava advises paying attention to signs like increased anxiety, stress, anger, nausea, difficulty concentrating, and rapid mood shifts, which indicate a need for a digital break. Monitoring screen time is also crucial to determine if social media use is disrupting daily activities.

Social media is crowded, but it can make us feel lonely.

— Sasya SavaSummarizing the core issue of feeling isolated despite being digitally connected.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Republika in Indonesian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

More Stories

From Our Blog