Have you noticed all of the attention given to loneliness lately? Here are some recent articles about loneliness that caught my attention:

Social Media and Loneliness
Feeling lonely? Paradoxically, Social Media Use Could Be to Blame

Primack and his team surveyed 1,178 West Virginia University students ages 18 to 30 about their social media use, to what extent their experiences were positive or negative, and their level of perceived loneliness. The authors studied these perceptions of social media interactions across whatever combination of platforms students were using.

For every 10 percent increase in negative experiences on social media, the participants reported a 13 percent increase in feelings of loneliness. However, for every 10 percent increase in positive experiences on social media, the participants reported no statistically significant change in feelings of loneliness.

Is Loneliness Genetic?
Loneliness genetic but not hardwired, study finds

"I'm concerned that as a society we're actually getting lonelier," said Aitken Schermer about her interest in the topic.

She was particularly moved when the government in the United Kingdom established a Minister of Loneliness. While that was focussed primarily on older people, Aitken Schermer is seeing a spike in loneliness among younger people.

"By looking at the heritability of loneliness, then we can see whether or not genes are having an influence, if they're interacting with their environment, can we exacerbate loneliness sensations."

Arts Projects to Combat Youth Loneliness
Nottingham city centre arts project to help tackle 'rise' in youth loneliness

"By involving young people in improving local spaces, we’re helping to increase their confidence and skills, while also building stronger, co-operative communities. We look forward to seeing the impact this funding has tackling youth loneliness across England.”

Charlotte Donlon is a writer, a spiritual director for writers, and the founder and host of the Our Faith in Writing podcast and website. Charlotte’s writing and work are rooted in noticing how art helps us belong to ourselves, others, God, and the world. Her writing has appeared in The Washington Post, The Curator, The Christian Century, Christianity Today, Catapult, The Millions, Mockingbird, and elsewhere. Her first book is The Great Belonging: How Loneliness Leads Us to Each Other. You can subscribe to her newsletter and connect with her onTwitter and Instagram.