Does Facebook make us lonely?

The Theology of the Body has introduced us to two complementary themes: original solitude and original unity.  Each of us is a unique individual, alone and distinct from the created world around us.  Yet we were made to be in relationship to God and with one another, as imaged in the story of our original human parents created as male and female.  Yet while solitude and relationship with others are essential aspects of our being human, we often experience these in our broken world as mere loneliness, an especially modern problem in an era of instant communication.

I came across an article in the Atlantic entitled “Is Facebook making us lonely?”  The introductory material about the article says “Social media—from Facebook to Twitter—have made us more densely networked than ever. Yet for all this connectivity, new research suggests that we have never been lonelier (or more narcissistic)—and that this loneliness is making us mentally and physically ill. A report on what the epidemic of loneliness is doing to our souls and our society.”  This is certainly an intriguing thesis as we explore the significance of our embodied existence.   It matters how we relate to one another.


There is certainly an enormous difference between solitude—a theological virtue, rightly understood, necessary to give oneself  truly in love to others—and loneliness—a sign that we live in a fallen world in need of redemption.  As we continue to explore the Theology of The Body, this is something to keep in mind.  To be human is to need and desire love--the love of God and the love of others.  Loneliness is banished if we give and receive love rightly.   

The Atlantic article is a long one, but if you care to read it all, click on this link.