Loneliness epidemic

Heard in 2 episodes across 2 shows since Jun 2026

The loneliness epidemic is a term used to describe a perceived global increase in loneliness and social isolation, which began rising in the 2010s and was significantly exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. It is driven by factors such as increased individualism, heavy reliance on social media, economic inequality, and a lack of community support systems.