What might this mean for the future of relationships?

Given my concern for the future of relationships, my blogs will often explore reasons I see for the apparent breakdown in the bonds that once held us together. I was therefore Interested and disturbed – but not surprised – to read in the Sydney Morning Herald, July 20, that in a recent survey conducted by Relationships Australia, 30% of those aged 25 to 34 indicated they were frequently lonely, far more than any other age group. The second most lonely were those aged 18-24, 19% of them stating they were frequently lonely.

Source   SMH July 20, 201

It is ironic that a major reason for so many who are under 35 feeling lonely today is the connectivity that the internet and mobile technology makes possible!  As the survey revealed there are strong links between a tendency to connect online with loneliness.

Those who were frequently lonely lived more of their life online using dating services and social networking sites to find and to keep in contact with friends.

As a mother of a 20yo daughter I know it is common these days to hear young people say they have hundreds of ‘friends’ on sites such as Facebook.  Yet many are likely to be people they’ve never met and are unlikely to ever know.  Growing up in an era when spending much of their leisure time on online sites is the norm must have an impact on the ability to have real live relationships.

These days we can communicate at an intimate level with a stranger online be this via chat or email or text – while having only our computer screen for company.  The internet not only allows us to readily make –  but also then break – an online relationship!   I recall a very eligible man in his early 30’s telling me about the wonderful relationship he’d had that had lasted for more than 6 months.  He had never had such intimate sharing with anyone,  However, he then added that he’d never met her as she lived in Europe – and had suddenly ended their communication when she met a live 3D man she could hold!

Without doubt the opportunities for us to network and connect via the web are amazing and can help to initiate and sustain friendships and to join communities with common interests.  However, it is important for the future of relationships that we raise our children to realise that connecting via a web cam and computer screen cannot replace the fulfilment to be had from personal contact.

As humankind, we need to share physical time and space together – and enjoy having simple yet essential human needs met such as holding and being held.

Source   SMH July 20, 201

It is ironic that a major reason for