We live in the most connected generation in history — yet young people have never felt more alone. A mere tap can bridge continents, yet so many settle for the soft glow of screens and the inanimate comfort of algorithms. Humans are wired for connection and warmth, yet we increasingly turn to machines that can mirror empathy but cannot offer real presence.

According to PhilSTAR Life, a study surveying around 5,000 people aged 11–18 in England reported that around 40% turn to artificial intelligence for advice, support, or company. The majority of young people spend most of their time on screens, and almost half spend their free time in their bedrooms – indicating that loneliness, digital dependence, and isolation have been entrenched in young people’s lives. This is not only true in Western countries; the same pattern also persists in the Philippines. As reported by the Department of Health (DOH) in October of this year, Filipino youth are increasingly turning to AI through chatbots and other tools when it comes to emotional problems.

Humans are predisposed to be social beings, yet we’ve grown accustomed to connections that demand so little of us. This comfort, as convenient as it is, is exactly where the problem begins.

Young people have claimed that part of the reason they turn to AI in the first place is that it is simply easier than talking to a fellow human. It seems as if we, as a human race, have forgotten the essence of socialization. As time passed and technology even made conversations instant., we learned to value convenience more than authenticity. But easier doesn’t always mean better. Human interactions are complex in nature; they require listening, patience, vulnerability, and conflict. Now, these exchanges are reduced to unnatural responses that lack substance and personality – barely mimicking that of a person. If we keep relying on conversations that require less from us, we might start avoiding human interactions altogether.

As we let ourselves be held by cold, mechanical hands, we unknowingly build a world where isolation feels easier than connection. We turn to AI to feel the ease of not exerting effort to socialize, but in return, it pushes us further into our private world, preventing us from seeking real connection. Many find themselves chatting with bots at night. They feelcomforted, yet still waking up lonely. It deepens our isolation rather than curing it.

What poses as something you can rely on now feels nothing but a mere band-aid over a deep wound. It gives us the illusion that no one is there, when really, we’ve built these walls around ourselves.

Isolation is only part of the story. What we gain in convenience, we lose in discernment — trusting AI can feel safer than trusting another human. Not because it provides empathy and understanding, but because it echoes exactly what the user wants to hear. Because AI seemingly agrees with everything we say, we come to deem it more trustworthy. For instance, a teen might vent frustrations about a classmate, and the chatbot only reassures them without challenging their perspectives. Chatbots may validate our impulsive thoughts and actions that should be corrected.

Not only does this create a false illusion on how human exchange occurs, it also unknowingly reinforces problematic behaviors, allowing them to persist for years to come. The lack of confrontation fosters the belief that we are always right, resulting in weak emotional resilience, poor conflict-handling skills, and stunted emotional maturation.

Ultimately, this is not just about individual choices. As the saying goes, it takes a village to raise a child. A child’s overreliance on artificial intelligence for company is not a preference — it is a reflection of society failing them. They turn to AI, not because it’s better, but because nothing else can fill the void. Communities have become unsafe and hostile, and creative corners are no longer accessible, leaving no space for young people to socialize. Families have also become emotionally distant or absent, where the embrace of a warm hand is missing — economic pressures have taken their time and presence. Moreover, schools that should have been second homes are now overstretched, with ineffective guidance programs and little to no mental health assistance.

If we want the youth to thrive, we must meet them where they are — in their homes, schools, and neighborhoods — and ensure they have real support to turn to. We must rebuild the village by creating safe spaces for young people to connect. Social spaces in schools should be prioritized alongside academics; while academic affairs is important, the ability to meet others, converse, and form bonds is just as essential. Parents, too, must strive to be more present and actively involved in their children’s lives. They should initiate conversations and model healthy human interactions, showing children what meaningful connection looks like.

In an age of endless virtual connection, the village we build in real life is what will keep young people from drifting alone.

We live in the most connected generation in history — yet so many hearts beat in isolation. This loneliness shouldn’t be theirs to carry alone. And though the world often feels cold and distant, they are never truly alone — if we remember to be present.

The Frontman