Loneliness It has always been part of the human experience; after all, we have all, at some point, felt that gap between what we need and what we actually receive from those around us. With the advent of the internet and, above all, of the With the rise of social media, a new form of this age-old feeling has emerged: digital loneliness, a type of isolation that stems not from a lack of contacts, but from a lack of genuine connection, and which today affects both young people and adults.

But what exactly is digital loneliness?The answer is simple: it’s not about being physically alone, but about feeling disconnected even when we are surrounded by messages, notifications and followers. In psychology, this is referred to as the paradox of digital connection: the more access we have to virtual communication, the easier it is, paradoxically, to experience emotional isolation. What makes the difference is not the quantity of interactions we have, but their quality.

Social media encourages quick exchanges: a comment, a direct message, an emoji… which may seem pleasant at first glance, but which rarely create a deep sense of connection. The traditional bond, built on time, listening and presence, is replaced by an immediate response that It does not always fill the void it is meant to fill, and that is where loneliness really sets in.

According to the statistics, the data points to a phenomenon that is particularly prevalent amongst young people: a considerable proportion of teenagers admit that they log on to social media precisely to avoid feeling lonely, without realising that this very habit may end up deepening their isolation. Constantly observing other people’s ‘seemingly perfect’ lives intensifies social comparison and the feeling of being left out, falling behind or failing because you haven’t reached the ‘milestones’ you see on social media.

However, this phenomenon is not limited to adolescence alone, but is also observed in educational and work settings: when learning or work takes place entirely via a screen, without any real opportunities for interaction and support, many people experience a sense of disconnection that affects both their performance and their emotional wellbeing; and on this point, experts emphasise that technology can be a valuable aid, but should never replace the human element of support.

An issue that also affects older people

Digital loneliness has another, less visible but equally significant aspect: that of older people who are excluded from digital tools due to a lack of access, skills or motivation. Recent scientific evidence shows that this digital exclusion is associated with more depressive symptoms and poorer psychological wellbeing.

When it persists over time, digital loneliness is not merely a passing mood, but can affect sleep, concentration and the ability to manage emotions. Psychology explains that this unease arises when the other ceases to be a real presence and becomes an image to be consumed. In other words, We don’t listen to them, we look at them; we don’t speak to them, we ‘like’ them, and that way of interacting, however much it fills the screen, rarely fills the heart.

In this way, understanding digital loneliness also means understanding what we truly need as people – that is to say, not more connections, but genuine bonds, because no screen can replace a glance, a real conversation or a constant presence alongside someone who is going through a period of emptiness or facing any other need or difficulty. That is why, In an age where social connections are multiplying yet loneliness is on the rise, close, human support that endures over time remains as essential as ever.

As part of our mission, as Angelic Sisters, we care for others, walk alongside them and offer a space where they can be heard, so that no one feels alone, whether on screen or off. In our charism, accompanying those who are alone or experiencing loneliness has been an integral part of our identity, forming one of the cornerstones of our Congregation. For this reason, in the face of phenomena such as digital loneliness, Our response remains the same as it was over a century ago: being there for people, listening to them and offering constant support to those going through times of loneliness or isolation.