It's easy to feel lonely as a result of social media/the internet, and also to feel connected. I think social media plays a huge role in this. Social media sites like twitter, facebook, etc have found a way to make our lives look perfect. We all know a negative nancy who uses Facebook as an outlet, but majority of people will post when their happy with their significant other, post images of awesome meals, outings with friends, etc. Even if they post random images of their normal lives the pictures are usually happy. We then compares ourselves with this - it's specially daunting when we are having an off day. In this way we can feel lonely. I think the internet brings us together though, I have met a lot of fantastic people on this forum and others, and part of these relationships have really helped me feel less lonely in times of needs. When I went from a busy city life surrounded by friends to a quiet place where my friends didn't live I really relied on my online relationships and friends to feel less lonesome.

I think there has always been and will always be a level of loneliness in the world. Some people feel alone even when surrounded by others (I have felt this) and some people feel alone because they feel they have no one (and they very well may not have people in their personal lives), but I wouldn't say it's increasing or decreasing exactly, just changing shape. People are also relatively afraid of approaching one another now, that's why even a hook up app like tinder can take off! I think in the "old days" before my time people jumped on the chance to meet people because interactions in person were the only way to go. That's just a theory though :)

Nice thread~