
The Loneliness Paradox: Why So Many Americans Feel Isolated in the Age of Connection
In today’s world, Americans have never been more digitally connected – yet millions feel increasingly alone. Social media, smartphones, and instant messaging connect us in seconds, but they haven’t cured what U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy declared in 2023 as an “epidemic of loneliness.” In fact, these very tools may be amplifying the issue. This paradox, where constant digital communication coincides with widespread emotional isolation, is now one of America’s most urgent public health crises.
Psychology and Mental Health 17.10.2025