Recently, I saw a statistic that 20 percent of people under age 37 say they don't have a single friend. This suggests massive loneliness among young people. In fact, young adults are more likely to feel chronically lonely than older age groups, says a 2018 study from the Office for National Statistics in the UK. This is startling that young people are the most lonely, given the realities of loss among the oldest seniors.

Loneliness causes people to feel empty, alone, and unwanted, and it can be a killer. People who are lonely often crave human contact, but their state of mind makes it more difficult to form connections with other people. Experts say loneliness is not necessarily about being alone, just feeling alone. While that may be true, it is also true that feeling alone is most often a response to actually being alone. It is a little disturbing that those who write about the topic never seem to want to acknowledge that rather obvious fact.

So why are so many young people so lonely?

The 21st century world seems to provide more of almost everything people need or want, except for one thing - love. It seems a strange phenomenon of this era that while society grows ever-more technologically advanced, it also grows less tolerant, less patient, more selfish and more disconnected from meaningful relationships with other people. Perhaps though, the obvious is true and while society is advancing technologically, it is declining in terms of social values and practices.

 Consider how the progress of the Internet Age affects people:

1. Modes of Communication
There used to be basically three different modes of communication: face-to-face communication, telephone conversation, and snail mail. All of these were personal. Now, its mostly texting, maybe some email, and maybe some Skype. Personal? Not so much.

2. Electronic Banking and Commerce
We used to have to pay cash or write checks to people. It was more personal. Today, we have instant payments of all kinds, and with ATMs and online banking, and internet shopping, you almost never have to even see or know anyone to do your banking or purchasing. Convenient? Yes. Personal? No.

3. Online Education
Education used to involve actually going to a school of some kind and interacting with real people in the process. Today you can be totally educated in your underwear, because you never need to actually interact with a live person, ever. Get a diploma in the mail and never once interact with anyone. Convenient? Yes. Personal? No.

4. Telecommuting and Freelancing
Work used to involve interacting with real people, but now, not only can you get educated in your underwear, you can go to work in your underwear as well. More and more people are telecommuting, doing their work at home. Others are freelancing, again, all at home. This is very convenient, but provides very little interaction with real people.

5. Media and Entertainment
Some of us remember when TV was king, and there were only three stations. Families normally sat in front of the TV and watched shows together. Back then some people worried that watching TV was taking the place of meaningful conversations in the family. Now, you can experience pretty much any entertainment you wish on your own "device." You don't have to be concerned about meaningful conversations with your family, because you either don't have a family, don't like your family, or they don't like you. If none of that is true for you, you're blessed.     

The Internet is convenient, no doubt. It's fast, maybe too fast sometimes. The youth are the biggest users of the Internet, and they love the tech. But does the Internet love them? Not really.

I'm not saying totally disconnect. That isn't practical for most people. Just realize there is very little close personal connection with people on the internet. God, family and real friends are still the most important source of love and meaning in life. If you are one of those folks that is alone, draw closer to your Father in Heaven. He is all about Love - and He already loves you. Pray - that's your direct connection. Get connected up with Him through His Son and pretty soon you'll be connected with everyone that is doing the same. In His family, there is no need for anyone to be lonely, because there is more than enough love to go around.

If you need help with that, get hooked up with Tsiyon. Just sign up as a free member at tsiyon.net. Talk to people there. Check out all the free videos and other material that will help to connect you with the Love of God toward you. We are real people, and we are using the Internet to reach real people with His love. Come and get connected with Him.    

Eliyahu
Tsiyon.Org

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