> For example, while conducting research for my book on iGen, I found that teens now spend much less time interacting with their friends in person. Interacting with people face to face is one of the deepest wellsprings of human happiness; without it, our moods start to suffer and depression often follows.
I think this is really the key. The lack of face time is really hard. Social media is a poor replacement for real interaction. It's kind of like junk food. It makes you feel good for a bit but long term use leaves you sick and fat. You get too much of the stuff you don't need and too little of the stuff you do need.
> Interacting with people face to face is one of the deepest wellsprings of human happiness;
That varies from person to person. There are enough introverts around who are completely drained by excess human interactions and need time to process and recharge. As a blanket statement this is very misleading.
For those who tend more extroverted, it’s likely very true, but doesn’t make it true for everyone.
Introvert here. It took me a long time to realise the role that face to face interaction had in my emotional well being. I was awkwardly shy and confused by most social interaction. I'd also get down a lot.
Over time I learnt that I'd feel better if I made the effort to spend time around people and develop relationships. I'm still not great at this and would like to get better. But it's kind of like exercise yeah some people naturally enjoy it and some hate it but most will feel better for it.
Perhaps this is not true of everyone. But I'd be surprised if it wasn't true for a very significant proportion of the population.
I think this is really the key. The lack of face time is really hard. Social media is a poor replacement for real interaction. It's kind of like junk food. It makes you feel good for a bit but long term use leaves you sick and fat. You get too much of the stuff you don't need and too little of the stuff you do need.