HIKIKOMORIES IN INDIA: A STUDY ON THE PROBLEM OF INCREASING LONELINESS AMONG YOUTH & MEDIA INTERVENTION

Abstract

It is really disturbing to see the hikikomori tendency increase in India. There are numerous issues to consider in light of the youth in India's increased sense of loneliness. The youth are suffering from a psychological condition known as loneliness as a result of rising population, depleting resources, a lack of employment opportunities, and an excessive reliance on technology. In the midst of all of this, it is imperative to solely utilize media (especially social media) to handle this issue, as if the issue began with excessive media consumption, it should also be resolved through media use. Due to hyperactivity in the virtual world, psychological problems like depression, suicidal ideation, fear of missing out are becoming a common disease among youth today. The time has come for social media platforms to initiate structural functional changes to introduce auto-alarming feature for their users so that users can become active members of the real world by bringing them out of the virtual world while preventing internet over-consumption. This research paper examines the issue of hikikomoris in India and suggests media interventions to address the issue.