A growing number of young people are choosing screen time over face-to-face social interactions, as smartphones, social media, gaming, and streaming platforms increasingly shape modern lifestyles. Experts warn that excessive digital dependence could impact mental health, communication skills, and real-world relationships among teenagers and young adults.

From scrolling endlessly on social media to spending hours online, screens are becoming the primary source of entertainment, connection, and comfort for many. While technology offers convenience and global connectivity, psychologists say balancing digital life with real-world socialising is becoming more important than ever.

More Young People Prefer Screens Over Socialising

A growing loneliness crisis in China is fueling the rapid rise of a new industry: paid companionship. From hiring someone to chat over coffee to virtual emotional support services, more people are turning to companionship platforms to combat isolation in fast-paced urban life. Analysts estimate China's companionship economy could be worth $7.4 billion in 2025, reflecting changing social habits, delayed marriage trends, and the pressures of modern living. The phenomenon is reshaping how many people seek connection in the digital age.


China’s $7.4 Billion Loneliness Economy: Why Millions Are Paying for Companionship 

Loneliness is more than just a feeling; it leaves physical marks on the body. A new study now reveals how loneliness and social isolation are tied to specific proteins that affect inflammation and immune responses. This discovery sheds light on the toll of being alone. Watch in for more details!

Proteins Linked To Loneliness May Harm Your Health

Recent research has uncovered a direct connection between loneliness and the presence of proteins that contribute to various diseases, shedding light on the health risks associated with social isolation.

Direct link between loneliness, disease causing proteins

Loneliness is a deeply personal experience characterized by a sense of isolation and disconnection from one's surroundings or personal aspirations. Extended periods of loneliness can significantly impact an individual’s mental and physical health, influencing thoughts, emotions, and even life expectancy. Recent research highlights that loneliness may also have a detrimental effect on cardiovascular health, suggesting a link between social isolation and heart-related conditions.

Shocking Risk Factors And Impact Of Unwanted Loneliness

Can Loneliness Rupture Your Heart?

At the AFI Fest premiere, Angelina Jolie talked about her new film Maria where she plays the famous opera singer Maria Callas. While discussing the role, Jolie spoke about how she understands feeling lonely when someone is very focused on their work and gives it their all.

It is ‘too personal’: Angelina Jolie opens up on loneliness, work ethic 

There’s one thing to be lonely, celebrating it in the name of the culture of a country in another, and this is what Japan’s Bocchi culture is all about. Bocchi, a Japanese slang expression for aloneness or loneliness have become quite famous in Japan for people to poke fun at themselves, express a sense of isolation, or a little of both.

What is bocchi culture of Japan that enables loner's lifestyle or social isolation among people?

Japan is grappling with a growing crisis of loneliness among its aging population, as nearly 40,000 people were found to have died alone in their homes during the first half of 2024, according to a new report.

Japan's loneliness crisis: 40,000 people died solitary deaths in their homes

The state of loneliness is mental or emotional distress one may experience from either being alone or just because you feel as if you are alone despite being among a group of people.

Software engineer in Bengaluru 'drives auto-rickshaw on weekends to combat loneliness'

There is a growing trend in China—the companionship economy. With 20 different apps offering companionship services, providing a new kind of social interaction. More Chinese are staying single and forgoing marriage and children leading to the emergence of the companionship economy.

Gravitas: Loneliness leads to companionship in China?

San Mateo County, situated in California's Silicon Valley, made headlines by passing a resolution officially declaring loneliness a public health crisis. The Board of Supervisors unanimously voted on this decision, marking a significant step in addressing the issue.

US: Silicon Valley's rich county declares loneliness a public health emergency, a first in the nation

A new study conducted in Romania has found that those who engage in phubbing may experience greater loneliness and mental stress. Phubbing means preferring a mobile phone over communicating with someone in person.

Preferring mobile phone over in person communication makes people lonely, stressed: Study

The World Health Organisation has declared loneliness a 'global public health concern'. How harmful is it? How can it affect your health?

Gravitas: Loneliness now a 'global public health concern'

The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared loneliness to be a severe global health threat and has launched several initiatives to tackle the prevailing issue.

WHO declares loneliness as grave global health threat, launches commission to address concern

Milk teas, which include bubble tea and the much-loved Indian masala (spiced) tea, have taken the beverage scene in China and other Asian regions by storm in recent years.

Sippin' blues: Study suggests your go-to milk tea could be the cause of your depression

People who are lonely don’t quite see the world the same way as those who aren't lonely, suggests a US study, published in Psychological Science. When it comes to processing information, people who are not lonely are all alike, but every lonely person processes the world in their own idiosyncratic way, it said.

Study shows lonely people’s brains process information and see the world differently

It is essential to carefully consider the advantages and disadvantages of AI as its integration into various aspects of society continues to evolve. Proactive measures are necessary to maximise the benefits of AI while mitigating potential drawbacks.

Working with AI systems is casting impact on employees, affecting health, social behaviour

The coronavirus pandemic had a huge toll on populations worldwide. However, one often ignored the cost of the pandemic stemming from the subsequent lockdowns. With most of the world forced to quarantine themselves, social isolation and loneliness have cropped up as a wound with a lasting scar. To help its citizens navigate their way through social isolation and loneliness, Japan has now introduced legislation.

Japan enacts law to tackle loneliness and social isolation

To help its citizens navigate their way through social isolation and loneliness, Japan has introduced legislation. The legislation will go into effect on April 1 next year.

Japan enacts bill to tackle social isolation

The coronavirus pandemic had a huge toll on populations worldwide. However, one often ignored the cost of the pandemic stemming from the subsequent lockdowns. With most of the world forced to quarantine themselves, social isolation and loneliness have cropped up as a wound with a lasting scar.

A South African company is now offering cuddle services for a fee, a first in Africa according to founder Florence Letswalo. She started a professional cuddling business called Pro Cuddling SA in May 2022, offering to "take the loneliness away" with cuddling sessions for at least 90 minutes, starting at 900 rand ($47). Take a look.

Feeling lonely? South Africans snuggle up to professional cuddlers

Heart attacks, diabetes, murderers, and even depression are threats to life everyone knows about, but as per the US surgeon general, there's an 'epidemic' that's silently killing people in the US.

'Our epidemic of loneliness and isolation': US surgeon general points to the importance of social connection

Scientists have discovered that pet parrots that are allowed to make video calls to other birds exhibit signs of feeling less lonely. Giving the birds a tablet to use for video calls as part of the study led researchers to discover that they started to exhibit more social skills like preening, singing, and play.

Study: Parrots taught to video call one another feel less lonely

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