[silvi9]

Gen Z today are becoming increasingly more isolated; the long-term effects of this are yet to be known and could be serious. But it angers me that this is often an issue that's overlooked, especially when it's such a prevalent one.

It's truly disturbing to think of the little regard there is for the mental health of young people, especially in an age fraught with enough social isolation as it is. Gen Z will be forever known as The Lonely Generation if something won't be done to help.

Recently, RTE News in Ireland did a segment covering short films that young people made about their experiences in lockdown (link here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v_jZWm6tzpQ), and it was truly harrowing to hear what they had to say and the short films that resulted.

[ip26]

I'm mainly thinking about whether we can get the pendulum to swing the other way now, after ~50 years of increasing isolation.

[austincheney]

If social isolation were a real concern for people they would get off their damn phones and drastically reduce their access to social media. Blaming this entirely on the pandemic is sorely misplaced and not a solution.

[anoncake]

And do what instead, meet in person?

[austincheney]

Be a damn parent and limit your child's access to screens generally and social media specifically.

[anoncake]

And therefore, all social interaction that's left.

[austincheney]

That’s not real social interaction so I don’t see your point.

[anoncake]

I agree, it isn't. But since real social interaction is currently not available in too many cases, limiting children's access to the closest substitute is not a good idea.

[staplers]

Terrifyingly, this isolation makes it easier to manipulate and polarize the population. Paired with capitalistic engagement-hungry algorithms, I see a dark future.