Some (not all) older individuals struggle to understand depression and empathize with those who suffer from it. Younger individuals, on the other hand, seem to be a little more familiar with the mental illness. They know it well because they or someone they know has experienced it. Why is this? Why are there so many young people with depression? There isn’t one good or clear answer, but a common denominator appears to be social isolation. 

The Role of Social Media in Isolation and Depression

Dr. Gary Brown, a relationship therapist, says that he and his colleagues are seeing an increase in depression among 20-somethings seeking counseling. And it is likely due in part to an increased sense of isolation. “This is a leading factor in depression for 20-somethings. I attribute much of this to their growing inability—through no fault of their own—to know about and use basic social skills,” he explains. “This stems from either the lack of social skills being taught and/or they were taught but the use of electronic devices has figuratively short-circuited their ability to read body language, facial expressions, and tone of voice. As a result, they don’t know how to really emotionally connect with others unless it involves keystrokes.”

He continues: “They can’t maintain eye contact. They don’t know what the rules are outside of the digital world. These factors are contributing to the isolation due to lack of IRL (in real life) emotional connection. That contributes to depression. And that is a frequent theme I am seeing in my younger clients who seek counseling. It’s not the only theme, but it is a constant theme when they begin to explore this phenomenon.”

A Solution to the Problem of Isolation: 3 Tips

There is cause for concern, as “technology is advancing much more rapidly than our ability to adapt to it in healthy ways.” And younger people in particular are at risk of suffering as a result of this technological advancement. That said, there is hope; there are ways to correct depressive thoughts or feelings when they’re rooted in social isolation. “Once they realize what the root problem is—assuming their depression or fear of depression is not genetically-based due to a family history of depression—it is easier to learn how to find healthier coping mechanisms,” Brown explains. Here are his tips:

1. Put down your phone. First, don’t spend all of your time on your phone when you’re in the company of friends or family. A general rule of thumb should be to “ditch electronic devices when engaging in face to face conversations,” says Brown. So, keep your phone in your purse or your pocket. And challenge your friends to do the same.

2. Call instead of text. Also, instead of communicating via text all day, every day, give your loved ones a call. This might still technically be a digital interaction, but it is much more personal than a text message. Brown says you should “make it a point to call at least three people a week—if not more.”

3. Plan and attend social events. Finally, make it a point to attend social events on the regular. “Put an emphasis on direct IRL human contact. No amount of texting, Instagram, or Snapchat can replace direct contact,” Brown explains. Grab some friends and go check out the local wineries; make dinner together; start a workout group or book club. Find what you enjoy and do it with people!

Engaging emotionally with others will help you feel less depressed—not to mention, more inspired and more fulfilled. 

Authors: 

Anthony Centore Ph.D. is Founder and CEO at Thriveworks--a counseling practice, focused on premium client care, with 80+ locations across the USA. He is Private Practice Consultant for the American Counseling Association, columnist for Counseling Today magazine, and Author of How to Thrive in Counseling Private Practice. Anthony is a multistate Licensed Professional Counselor and has been quoted in national media sources including The Boston Globe, Chicago Tribune, and CBS Sunday Morning.

Taylor Bennett is a staff writer at Thriveworks. She devotes herself to distributing important information about mental health and wellbeing, writing mental health news and self-improvement tips daily. Taylor received her bachelor’s degree in multimedia journalism, with minors in professional writing and leadership from Virginia Tech. She has published content on Thought Catalog, Odyssey, and The Traveling Parent.