Introduction
Younger people between 18 to 22 years are lonelier than the older generation, who are more than 72. Loneliness contributes to poor health and unhealthy lifestyles such as social media addiction and damaging activities. Health risks associated with loneliness include stress and depression, resulting in heart problems, arthritis, tissue damage, and chronic inflammation (O’Donnell & Rudavsky). Most lonely youths use social media to fill the socializing gap creating more isolation and false social security.
Many teenagers disconnect from society due to traumatizing experiences more than isolating because of one’s personality and preferences. Moreover, older people suffer from loneliness because of a partner or family member’s death. The key to loneliness is having more physical interactions and connecting with family and friends who can help during difficult situations (O’Donnell & Rudavsky). Additionally, exercising, adequate sleep and involving in creative activities such as art and music helps in curbing loneliness.
Discussion
Loneliness among American youth is a major concern as it affects most of the individuals’ social activities, mental health, and the affected persons’ overall well-being. Causes of loneliness include feelings of alienation, minimal physical interactions with others, differences in hobbies and lifestyles, and few people to talk to during challenging experiences. Youngsters tend to feel lonelier than older people because of social media influence which offers temporary and unmeaningful relationships that cause more vulnerability than comfort.
Furthermore, relying on social media for social connection may lead to gaining unhealthy weight by spending most of the time sitting when communicating on computers and mobile phones. Physical wariness among the youth also causes seclusion because of societal perspectives, hence, public avoidance. Mental conditions such as depression may result from solitude and account for more deaths and suicides in the young generation today. Society should engage youngsters in inclusive activities such as community events involving different interests to reduce alienation and loneliness.
Personal Views
Loneliness has negative impacts on individual health regardless of age or gender. Most youths live unhealthy lifestyles such as alcoholism and substance abuse due to feeling isolated. Young adults are more prone to loneliness because of the challenges involving transitioning from being a teenager to adulthood in the dynamic world that embraces individualism. As much as social media connections form false security, they can also create a sense of belonging and reduce loneliness given the right networks.
Work Cited
O’Donnell, Jayne, and Shari Rudavsky. “Young Americans Are the Loneliest, surprising study from Cigna Shows.” Usatoday. 2018. Web.