Author Argument
The article “Worldwide Increases in Adolescent Loneliness” describes trends in adolescent social problems that directly affect their adaptation to society. Twenge et al. (2021) noted an increase in adolescents with dysfunctional psychological states, linking it to the Internet and smartphones. According to the researchers, increased internet activity and spending a significant amount of time on social media lead to a higher chance of loneliness during adolescence.
Argument Critique
Social Media as a Non-Primary Driver for Loneliness
While it is true that teens have started spending more time online, it does not mean that this activity is only recreational and does not include educational activities. In addition, teenagers use the Internet to share loneliness and express their thoughts anonymously because they have real-life problems. It is worth noting that Twenge et al. (2021) acknowledge the role of depression in loneliness, and its occurrence cannot be attributed solely to internet activity. The Internet may potentially impact the ability to understand real-life situations, but further research is needed to establish a strict correlation.
Importance of Financial and Family Factors in Loneliness
The article also describes that loneliness does not arise due to GDP levels, income inequality, or family size. Twenge et al. (2021) note that unemployment and low income do not necessarily lead to adolescent loneliness. It can be agreed that even with a low income, a child’s happiness will be pronounced, and they will not feel lonely because they will receive enough attention.
However, considering families with many children and the responsibility of looking after the younger siblings, it cannot be said that they will not feel lonely. They will spend much more time at home babysitting than with their peers and may be lonely. In addition, family income may be a barrier to providing the teenager with the minimum needs. While other children will be satisfied, others will be disconnected and unable to fit in. Therefore, looking at each case separately can help address the problem of loneliness in adolescents.
Reference
Twenge, J. M., Haidt, J., Blake, A. B., McAllister, C., Lemon, H., & Le Roy, A. (2021). Worldwide increases in adolescent loneliness. Journal of Adolescence, 93, 257–269. Web.