Social media provides the illusion of companionship without real human connection. While people are more connected online than ever before, they are also more lonely and isolated in their offline lives. Social networks encourage "performance" over genuine interactions and make it easier for people to hide from real intimacy and vulnerability. Many now prefer superficial online connections to face-to-face communication with friends.

1. Image via Spike
Social Media
The Gateway to Isolation
By: Stephanie Burrows

2. Image via Phil Armstrong
Today we are connected
to one another more than
ever before in history

3. Image via SeRVe Photography
But we are also more
lonely and
d i s t a n t
in our
unplugged lives

4. Image via Jason Howie
Social media provides an
illusion of companionship
without the demands of
friendship or intimacy
Source: Stephen Marche, The Atlantic

5. are living in an isolation that would have
been unimaginable to our ancestors, and yet
we have never been more
- Stephen Marche
Image via Joe GaylorSource: Stephen Marche, The Atlantic

6. Regular recreational
or social activities take a back
seat while social networking is the
prime agenda
Image via Matt MoyerSource: Jonathan Safran Foer, The New York Times

7. Image via Edwin de Jongh

8. They have become more comfortable with the
thought of texting a friend, rather than
speaking to them in person
Image via Xavier J. Peg

9. Image via Scott Proudfoot
We no longer live in the moment

10. What ever happened
to face-to-face
communication?
Image via Jeansman Lee

11. Image via Katrin Shumakov
connectedness, but
encourages
- Jonathan Safran Foer
Source: Jonathan Safran Foer, The New York Times

12. Image via Dave Delaney

13. Image via Colton Witt
a constant battle to remain true to ourselves and others

14. Image via Jason Bachman
Most dramatic
change:
Our ability to
at any point
in time
Source: Sherry Turkle, Massachusetts Institute of
Technology social psychologist

15. Image via Donna Muccio
To step aside what is difficult
What is hard in a personal interaction
And go to another place where it
have to be dealt with
Source: Sherry Turkle, Massachusetts Institute of
Technology social psychologist

16. Image via Dee McIntosh
We hide behind our phones
because the online identity we have created
makes us feel more secure

17. Image via Laura Chifiriuc
ourselves, emotionally and physically

18. Image via Paulo Arrivabene
Social media allows people to flaunt their
and hide theirASSETS FAULTS

19. Young people
complain of
performance
anxiety.
Living on social
networks means
performing
,
which may
include many.
Image via C Paige Photography
Source: Sherry Turkle, Massachusetts Institute
of Technology Social Psychologist

20. Where do we draw the line ?
Image via mkhmarketing

21. Image via Rosaura Ochoa
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