Young and lonely
When was the last I made a friend? This question hit me like a bolt of lightning. I remembered making friends four years ago while taking an international flight. I met two beautiful souls, one of whom is now a famous painter I’m still in touch with.
I consider myself a social butterfly, but what have I been doing all these years? In the past, with fewer gadgets, communication was more powerful. We were more open to talking and making friends. We used to go out to get our stuff done, and we would have to communicate with each other for the smallest of things. Now that has changed. Everything can be done with the touch of a button.
What makes for an ideal friend? Sure, we all want to surround ourselves with loyal, honest, fun, and compassionate people. We are, after all, a reflection of the company we keep. But how well do our idealised views on friendship match reality? And how might friendship formation differ when it occurs in an online environment versus in live interactions?
The new different modes of communication have become a boon and a curse. Phones have more or less killed post offices. Previously, communication took place through letters. The feel of writing letters and waiting for their replies are things children of today will never understand. It taught us patience. Instant messages killed letter writing, and emails destroyed the fax system. Now we hardly communicate verbally.
People, especially this young generation, is busy making friends on social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram and Snapchat. They are happier with their virtual friends.
Isn’t it dangerous? They are so engrossed with their gadgets that they become absent in their present surroundings. Moments are meant to be lived. People need to make memories. So, where are the sentiments and emotions?
Children today are more introverted. They find it difficult to open up and express themselves. Young people are more prone to depression and feel lonelier. They start comparing their flaws and weaknesses with what they see online. They need to learn to be kind to themselves.
Today’s youth is limiting their future possibilities. They need to build themselves, in body, in mind, in capability, and in incompetence. There’s a specific time to grow, a particular time to live. Unfortunately, today’s youth have limited scale and scope of their life, which should not happen.
We need to encourage them to come out in the real world and physically communicate with others. Be someone who can feel empathy and who gives back to the community. They should be encouraged to physically make friends and go to family gatherings. We must go forward with technology, but we should not be a slave to it. The world is full of God’s blessings. We must explore the outdoors and be content.
Lamiya Siraj: Stories & Beyond 
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