I think the landscape has simply changed. For one, as people get older, it seems, a general trend, is to crystalize one's social ties and become exclusionary. As one ages, responsibilities increase, stressors increase, trust decreases, time decreases, etc.. So, less people, for whatever reason, are in the, 'looking for group,' mode, to speak in gamer terms.
The younger generations are being raised on ipads and iphones and android devices. They live in a world of apps and swipes. And most importantly, they interact with their immediate peers, as opposed to the slightly older internet, where, it was a mixed bag. A forum for example, is a place where you can meet anyone from almost anywhere. Facebook and instagram, however, you meet people you already know, or who are aligned with some sort of similar interest, or social connection, perhaps, however vaguely.
There is probably more to it than all that; but, I think that covers a good bit of it.
I don't use social media, it's bad for you; the companies that peddle that crap are insane and sociopathic; and it's used for surveillance and data collecting. So, I don't use skype, or zoom either, for those reasons; unless I'm absolutely forced to. Luckily there are respectable alternatives.
And generally speaking, times are getting tougher and tougher, people are becoming more tribal, and everyone is struggling more lately, as the consequences of profit driven greed, ignorance, and inhumanity are fracturing society in a myriad of different ways. Authoritarian rule is on the rise as a consequence of the economic depressions that are fueled by unchecked greed as well as poor choices made by governments and corporations.
Loneliness, I have observed, in my experience, isn't related to whether or not you have family, friends, or people in your life. It's a feeling of being cut-off. Technology may help one overcome their loneliness. It may also make their loneliness worse. It might do neither. It depends on the cause of the loneliness.
with the expansion of internet and social media, the crowd is bigger, so, I think what it is ... is that perhaps you are just having trouble finding the right like minded people whom you can make a connection with. There are more people on line now that you need to weed through. If one social media venue is not working, may I suggest you try another. Have you tried 'Stitch' ?
