This video describes the ailment of loneliness in today's society, sharing how technology and social media has shifted the focus from making conversation to making connection.
http://www.upworthy.com/loneliness-illustrated-so-beautifully-you-will-need-to-tell-someone
One of the most important takeaways is being able to be alone without being lonely. If we aren't able to spend time alone with our thoughts and feelings, and instead, spend all of our time connected via social media and technology, we will only know and understand loneliness.
When you use social media, take a few minutes to think about why you use each platform. I love using Facebook to stay in touch with friends and family, but I take it a step further and usually try to connect with those same people offline as well. When I travel, I do whatever I can to get back in touch with people I haven't seen in a while. With my LinkedIn account, I use it to network, learn about different companies, and stay in touch with business contacts without having to keep track of business cards. I consider LinkedIn to be my professional Rolodex (do kids even know what a Rolodex is?) My Twitter account is primarily used for reading and disseminating news. Instagram to share photos with friends.
Everyone has their own reasons as to why they engage in social media or choose to (or not to) post things online. Whatever you do, make sure you take the time to have conversations with people in your life--new and existing. Engage in conversation with a stranger once in a while. Learn something new about the people around you. As human beings, we are meant to nourish each other through conversation. Make those coffee dates (or Google Hangouts!) with people you haven't had a chance to chat with in a while. Pick up the phone and call someone important to you. Right now.