Overstimulated and Undersupported: What Constant Input Is Doing to You

Loneliness Isn’t a Feeling Anymore — It’s an Epidemic
In 2023, the U.S. Surgeon General called loneliness a public health crisis — with risks as severe as smoking 15 cigarettes a day.

And the generation most “connected” online declared themselves the loneliest.

It seems strange at first. With all our devices, we have hundreds of contacts, constant notifications, and an endless stream of people talking at all hours. How could we possibly be lonely?

It seems our devices are divisive…

Digital connection ≠ human connection.

A University of Essex study found that when a phone is just visible on the table — even if no one touches it — empathy drops and conversations feel less meaningful.

Other studies show:

• Both active posting and passive scrolling increase loneliness
• Social media “connection” does not reduce loneliness
• Cutting usage makes people less lonely
• Loneliness → scrolling → more loneliness (a lonesome loop)

We aren't just distracted, we're disconnected.

As adults, this means fewer real friendships, less emotional bandwidth, and more exhaustion.

For kids, the stakes are even higher — studies show children feel rejected, unseen, and insecure when a parent just glances at their phone during moments that matter.

That’s right. Just one glance can break trust.
This isn’t permanent, but it’s enough to leave a mark.

At this stage, it’s not our fault — none of this happened intentionally. But now that we know what is going on and how it’s affecting us and our kids, it is our moment to turn the tide.

The solution isn’t to throw your phone away or disconnect entirely. It’s to reclaim the tiny moments that give life meaning.

• Put your phone in another room during dinner
  
• Look your children in the eyes when they talk
  
• Leave your phone in your bag when you meet a friend
  
• Use Do Not Disturb as a gift to yourself — shut out the distractions

Small shifts restore connection faster than you think.

Loneliness is very real. But presence can be the antidote.

In Week 3 of Break the Chain, we go deeper into this and learn how to rebuild the circuits of connection. But just for today, start with this:

At least once today, put your phone out of sight and give someone 10 minutes of complete attention.

You’ll be amazed at how much that one act rewires.