Lonely With The World at Our Hands

By Karah Estillore

Technology is everywhere.  If you’re bored, you can whip out the brand new Nintendo switch you got for your birthday.  Just had a bad breakup? Don’t worry, if you have your phone on you, Twitter’s there to listen.  In a world that has become heavily reliant on the use of technology, however, it’s hard not to question whether the time we spend on our devices makes us more alone.  In my opinion, they do.

Some might argue that, in a time where we are able to contact someone from across the globe in a matter of seconds, people are more connected than ever before.  While this is substantially true, it also isn’t, in a sense. LivePerson conducted a 2017 poll asking 4,000 young adults from several different countries about their communication preferences.  Of the 4,000 that were Americans, “nearly 74% of respondents would rather send a text message instead of having a conversation in person.” Connection lies in our ability to communicate with others, and while technology has enabled us to do just that without even having to move an inch, it has taken away the chances of people having valuable social interactions outside it.

Without a doubt, the advances in modern technology have made many things in life easier.  At what point, however, have things been made too easy?  People can shop without having to step foot outside.  Food can be ordered without verbally communicating what you want to a cashier.  Even my own experiences lead me to believe that technology undermines the potential in real connection; hangouts with some friends usually end up with us scrolling away on our phones silently.  The thought that the devices that are supposed to help increase our social connections are what is taking away from them is what makes it more unsettling.

Now, I am aware that this can’t be solved with something as simple as telling people to just put down his or her electronics.  We have become reliant on our technology after all. However, continuously finding ways to increase social interactions outside the use of our devices can be an effective solution, no matter how small.  Go to the mall, awkwardly list off your order at Panera, grab a friend and do something that won’t make it tempting to pull out your phone. There can be value found in these genuine interactions that you have, for they won’t be behind a screen.

Social interactions are fundamental to human connection.  With the technology that has become ingrained into our society—so ingrained that our daily routines often revolve around their use—genuine connections are now harder to make, but not impossible.  When it comes down to it, we can take charge to prevent ourselves from being lonely with the world at our hands.

Works Cited

“Survey Says 7 In 10 Millennials Would Rather Text Than Talk In Person.” CBS Detroit,

CBS Detroit, 21 Oct. 2017, detroit.cbslocal.com/2017/10/21/millennials-text-talk-in-person/.