THE PSYCHOLOGY OF LONELINESS IN THE DIGITAL AGE

Abstract

This article analyzes, from a scientific perspective, how the development of digital technologies and the popularization of social networks affect the feeling of loneliness in individuals. In modern society, the expansion of virtual communication, the reduction of offline social interactions, and the digitalization of personal life can have both positive and negative impacts on psychological well-being. The cognitive, affective, and social aspects of loneliness are explored, along with the mechanisms of its formation in the digital environment and its influence on health and emotional well-being. The study pays special attention to trends observed across different age groups, processes of media socialization, and preventive psychological measures.