[MissLadyBunny]

I was reading an online article that discuss about online chat rooms, forums and dating web sites. That a large some of American mostly women are lonely despite being active online users.They ask a simple question of both men and women active online users if they are lonely. A large some agree that they do or feel lonely.Even though there are sites like FaceBook and Myspace that provide instant chat and have the ability to create a detail profile about yourself Lets Face who really reads that or pay attention. We live in a superficial society that cares for little substance.You'll think with all this new and inventive technology people would be more open but that is the total opposite.People are more lonely, depress and suffer more social anxiety. This new age cyber hyper active societies that we live in has its pro and cons. Pros;allowing various and different people meet, discuss, share thoughts and ideas from different parts of the US and the world. Cons;because there is such a large diverse communities may cause conflicts, harsh web administration restriction,cyber bulling and stocking, Is this taking away from real life social experience and causing to much stress?

Do you agree of disagree or haven't been effective?

[terrorist]

well... you know we are all humans.. and we have all attributes of emotions, most of us do.
even dogs get lonely. even cats.. and they are ever so independent.

You'll think with all this new and inventive technology people would be more open but that is the total opposite.People are more lonely, depress and suffer more social anxiety

That is because we spend more time behind the technology than we do communicating and spending time with our loved ones.

seriously.. instead of questioning and making topics about loneliness. you YOURSELF can be outside with your friends or your family. having an intimate time.

but no, we stay behind the computer watching anime... or watching movies, and dramas. WATCHING other people's lives.

not only that. we are also so occupied with financial life, school, work, errands.

where do we ever find the time for love?

[aznfury]

Actually, because of the internet, I've met more people and have been able to socialize as I have a social anxiety disorder. I know for sure I would never have the guts to meet people in person. However, with the net and its anonymity, you are able to talk to people without having the other person judge you by how you look and etc. After you speak with that person on the net via forums, chats, etc, they'll see your personality and won't care how you look like. That's why I find technology so beneficiary.

If the internet weren't around, I would probably only have 1 or 2 friends that are of the opposite sex. Thank you technology! ^^ haha

Of course there's always negatives. Of these people I meet online, how often do I see them in person? Rarely if ever. Some are international, some are domestic, few are local. There in lies the problem

However, I'd rather have many online friends that I can meet and chat on the net than a few that I meet in person in real life. The big reason for that is my social anxiety disorder.

[Maos]

i wouldn't say technology is making me lonely. I'm not addicted to the tv or internet or whatever. If i'm doing nothing at home, then i'll go on the internet and watch some dramas. If friends invite me to go out and i like these friends, or if i want to see my friends, then i'll make plans. So i wouldn't say technology makes me lonely. But i guess it does make me stay at home more often though. If i'm bored at home with a computer, then i'll go on the internet. If i'm at home with no computer and bored out of my wits, i'll most likely call up my friends

[oreos]

You can choose to utilize or abuse the internet. I try not to talk to people online so much and meet them face to face. It does take away from real intimacy.

[GwendolynGuillotine]

I don't think this research is as complete. They only asked active online users whether they're lonely or not? What about the ones who aren't active?

[RiderKamen]

You can choose to utilize or abuse the internet. I try not to talk to people online so much and meet them face to face. It does take away from real intimacy.

I definitely agree with that statement.

On top of that. People assume that people if you do this then your this. It really comes down to who you is, what's your environment like, and what type of experience you've been through to behave a certain way when it comes to people, utilities, entertainment and so forth.

[Gofishus]

Just like to point out that your poll suffers from sample bias. Soompi has more girls than guys and that's why on the poll more girls are lonely, AND more girls are not lonely, seemingly a contradiction.

[GwendolynGuillotine]

Just like to point out that your poll suffers from sample bias. Soompi has more girls than guys and that's why on the poll more girls are lonely, AND more girls are not lonely, seemingly a contradiction.

Oh plus since it's posted in this section of the forum, I think the majority of the cohorts here are in their college-lifestyle or on their own.

[kenchanayoh]

I think people are lonely when they don't have someone like a bf or gf. Despite having social contacts and friends, people ultimately claim they are lonely.

[Irysinon]

I'm alone, but I'm not lonely. I used to feel lonely all the time when I was younger; no siblings, not a lot of friends to hang out with, etc. Now, it's more like I like being alone (no interest in general social activities), but wouldn't mind if I had a clique to hang out with to do adventurous things. You know, mountain biking or going out to sea. That's the type of stuff that can break away my boredom. But, in the end, it's not only technology that contains us, but rather the lack of time because we're so inclined to roam within society doing our daily routines.

[ayahuasca]

I think it should be broken down more into being emotionally lonely and physically lonely. By that I mean that peopl can be alone, either living alone etc, except they're emotionally fulfilled. They have friends and all that but are also happy with their solitude. Then there are those who are both emotionally and physically alone. The sort of loneliness that gnaws at your mind.

Personally, I live alone (in fact I moved countries) and have only a few friends where I've moved to, but it's not the sort of loneliness that eats at me. I enjoy living alone, I don't need to worry about others and I can choose to do what I want as I want. I've gotten to know people online, quite a few friends who are international and some domestic, I even met a, now ex, gf online. I've met with a few of my online friends and keep in contact with them.

I think just about everyone is lonely. We're all kinda like oysters. We live in a shell but periodically we stick ourselves out and sample the world but no matter how long we're out, we're all happy to retreat into our shell.

Here's an extreme example. Yesterday on BBC news, there was a case where a man allegedly killed his partner of 10 years when she changed her Facebook status from 'married' to 'single'. The couple were de facto and had 4 children together. The introduction of a computer in to their lives caused repeated arguments as he felt that she was spending all of her time socialising online and flirting with guys. When the woman changed her FB status, the man allegedly knifed her to death.

[Geyser]

Being alone doesn't mean being lonely, I think so. Not having a boyfriend or girlfriend doesn't make this life less interesting, and technology is one means for you to explore this world. How you use it is all up to you.

[ManekiNeko~*]

internet = capacious network = increase chances of finding a better friend


srsly... i've had some rather infelicitous ass friends in my 22 years

[crucifyxmyheart]

It feels a little too instant gratification.

It doesn't feel the same, but at the same time, even though I deny it... something is better than nothing.

[MissLadyBunny]

When I read the article I had many question of my own on the research.Whether or not this was something like this a random poll that readers can click and choose.I find any poll to be bias when it comes to human behavior and characteristics. The article also did not mention whether or not these are people who do suffer depression already or social anxiety problems verse those who have a normal healthy social life. I read this off of MSN and found the article a little misleading.

Like my Myspace is litter with men but very little women. I do not so interest if someone doesn't have a photo of some type on their profile. I'm very selective to whom I talk to online and I'm more judgmental in real life.I don't like the company of women and usually prefer to talk to men online. All my friends that I hang out with are females.I don't feel lonely if I'm socially active online with both sexes.In fact I can't stand AIM, PM, IM and emails but I have this bad habit of doing them and checking my emails ever day.The best thing about online is i can talk to people when I want to and not worry about the verbal confrontation.

If I do feel depress and lonely, people, are the last thing I want to deal with for that moment. I do suffer from depression and I prefer to be alone while I go through my mood swings. I'm very nasty and impatient when I go through my mood swings. I'll avoid meeting people, talking online or on the phone. i really shut off the world then try to invite it.I'll go days at a time feeling this way and acting this way.

[LennyRin]

i agree with the pros.. not so much the cons.. O.o but either way.. i think people feel lonely more due to the fact that we like physical intimacy, not such as sex or what not.. but i mean just to be able to feel people.. to carry a relationship (not that i do this) online is not as satisfying as in person.. i must admit that as humans we like that physicality in our relationships.. i would love to come home from a rough day to a human being's embrace than to my boyfriend who lives thousands miles away's words of "Hey babe, I really missed you today" it just makes us long for it even more..