Are we becoming more lonely in today's world?

[Pokemon Trainer Sarah]

I kind of feel like yes, the world has become more lonely. In my grandparents' time, everyone lived in little villages and everyone knew each other and people were friendly and not fearful of each other. These days, if you start talking to a stranger in person, they think you're crazy. I almost feel like the world has gotten too big. Now that we have access to every corner of it, most people don't bother getting to know the people around them. I have never said a word to my neighbours, for example. There is so much fear and distrust in the world, it's very sad.

I have met so many fantastic people online who I consider to be my very best friends and I am not discounting those relationships at all, but I've still felt lonely. As wonderful as meeting people from all over the place is, there's no substitute for hanging out with people in person, imo. Sure people have 1000 facebook friends but how many of them do they have meaningful conversations with? I find social media to be quite a shallow interaction, but then again, I don't really use it to meet people.

I think with the rise of technology, we have lost something important. Sometimes I will stand in an area full of people and everyone is avoiding eye contact with everyone else and staring at their phones and they honestly seem like a pack of zombies. I think we are more connected than ever, but more disconnected than ever from our surroundings and the people around us. Some people will adapt to this easily and some won't, and I think that can breed loneliness in itself.