Hi doitvoluntarily, a most interesting post on a topic that is always going to be relevant. Loneliness eats away at people because basically we are social beings and have a strong psychological need to belong, to love and be loved. Of course there are resilient individuals who enjoy the quiet solitude but deep down everyone needs a friendly caring person or people in his/her life. I personally don't think social media sites are a substitute. Give it its due it play a role as another way to communicate - listening and contributing, but it is limiting.