Geneva - Saba:
The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned of the consequences of smartphone and social media use, highlighting their impact on individuals' lives and their contribution to loneliness.
A WHO-affiliated committee stated on Monday that one in six people worldwide is negatively affected by loneliness, which—alongside social isolation—can lead to physical illness, contributing to 871,000 global deaths annually.
In a report, the WHO explained that loneliness increases the risk of stroke, heart attacks, diabetes, depression, anxiety, and suicide. It noted that adolescents who feel lonely are 22% more likely to achieve lower grades compared to their peers, while adults facing loneliness struggle with finding or maintaining jobs.
The report concluded that one in three older adults and one in four adults overall suffer from social isolation.
Vivek Murthy, co-chair of the WHO committee, described loneliness as a "painful, subjective feeling experienced by many," while social isolation is an objective condition marked by a lack of relationships and interactions. He emphasized that humans have communicated for thousands of years not only through words but also through facial expressions, body language, tone of voice, and silence.
Causes of loneliness include illness, poor education quality, low income, lack of social opportunities, living alone, and digital technology use. The impact of loneliness extends beyond individuals to society, with billions spent on healthcare systems and job losses adding to the economic burden.
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