Can Virtual Socialization Mitigate the Effects of Social Isolation?

A recent study analyzed how isolation affects the learning of danger signals in young people aged 16 to 19. This type of learning, crucial for recognizing and responding to threats, is divided into three phases: acquisition, extinction, and retention. For example, learning that the sound of a fire alarm signals an imminent danger.

Physical isolation has long been associated with mental and physical health issues such as anxiety and depression. In animal models, isolation has been shown to impact learning and hinder the overcoming of fear responses. However, until now, little was known about how these dynamics operate in humans, or the potential benefits of virtual socialization.

The study found that young people subjected to physical isolation perceived threat signals as more intense and disturbing. Furthermore, in the extinction phase, where fear responses were expected to decrease, a persistent elevated physiological response was observed, indicating a constant state of alertness.

Interestingly, when participants were isolated but allowed to use social media, the results were similar: virtual socialization failed to counteract the negative effects of physical isolation.

These findings highlight a paradox: adolescents who use social media the most, who seem most connected, often report higher levels of loneliness. This raises a fundamental question: can virtual interaction replace real human connection?

Your opinion matters. What do you think about this phenomenon?

References:

Towner, E., Thomas, K., Tomova, L., & Blakemore, S. J. (2024). Increased threat learning after social isolation in human adolescents. Royal Society open science, 11(11), 240101. https://doi.org/10.1098/rsos.240101

Buecker S, Mund M, Chwastek S, Sostmann M, Luhmann M. 2021 Is loneliness in emerging adults increasing over time? A preregistered crosstemporal meta-analysis and systematic review.. Psychol. Bull. 147, 787–805. (doi:10.1037/bul0000332)