"Why No Measures Against Smartphones Ruining Korean Youth?"... A Stern Warning from a British Economist [Youth Isolation 24 Hours]

<6>How Is the World Solving the Isolation Problem?
① Interview with UK Economist Professor Hertz on the 'Age of Isolation'
Impact on Businesses... "Significant Costs for Employers"
"Korean Government Should Restrict Youth Social Media Use"

Editor's NoteWhen eating alone after work, when you have hundreds of contacts saved on your phone but no one to confide in during tough times, when you are sick or have no money but cannot ask for help... The young people in their 20s and 30s whom Asia Economy met confessed that they felt isolated in such moments. Could this be your story? If you have thought that words like 'hikikomori' or 'eundunhyeong oettori' (reclusive loners) are stories from a different world, now is the time to properly reconsider isolation and seclusion.

In January 2018, the UK became the first country in the world to create a government department dedicated to loneliness and appointed a minister in charge. Three years later, in February 2021, Japan followed by establishing the 'Loneliness and Isolation Measures Office' within the Cabinet Secretariat and appointed a minister. Vivek Murthy, the U.S. Surgeon General, has been traveling to prominent universities across the country since October last year, warning that "loneliness has become a crisis spreading across the United States." In November last year, the World Health Organization (WHO) launched the 'Social Connection Committee' with the aim of establishing a foundation to address the global issue of social isolation.

Norina Hertz, Honorary Professor at University College London, British Economist (Photo by Professor Norina Hertz)

"Loneliness is a global problem." Norina Hertz, an economist from the UK and Honorary Professor at University College London, described the issue of isolation as a "ticking time bomb" in an interview with Asia Economy. She views loneliness and isolation as urgent problems that the world must solve together. Professor Hertz is the author of the 2021 book The Lonely Century, which highlights the reality of loneliness humanity faces.

- What is the global perspective on the issue of isolation?

▲ It is a problem worldwide?from the U.S., Europe, Africa, to India. Globally, 60% of people report feeling lonely at work. Korean readers should understand that this is not just a Korean issue; it is a global problem.

- Why do we feel loneliness and isolation now? Is it something we experienced through COVID-19?

▲ (Loneliness and social isolation) were problems even before the pandemic but have accelerated and worsened since then. This is especially evident among young people and women. All generations missed important socialization experiences crucial for personality development, creating a ticking time bomb situation. These problems had already begun before the pandemic. One university in the U.S. even introduced a course teaching how to read others' facial expressions in real life. The pandemic worsened the situation. Young people who are now 21 to 23 years old started working without acquiring basic communication skills. Without skills to build relationships, it is difficult to work in teams or communicate smoothly with customers. They also do not know how to communicate effectively with supervisors. Companies see this as a major problem.

Norina Hertz, Honorary Professor at University College London, British Economist (Photo by Professor Norina Hertz)

- How serious is the isolation problem among the younger generation?

▲ It is very serious. (According to recent surveys) 4 out of 10 young people aged 16 to 24 in the UK said they "always or often feel lonely." UK youth report feeling loneliness five times more than the elderly aged 65 to 74. In the U.S., loneliness among 18 to 24-year-olds has tripled since the pandemic. One in five millennials in the U.S. has no friends at all. I realized the severity when more and more students in my classes came to me, expressing how lonely they felt. In Korean surveys, 30% reported having no one to rely on when they need help. Korean youth spend more time on social media.

- If loneliness and isolation worsen, the social impact must be severe.

▲ I believe Korea has a remarkable history of leading global innovation. An important point to remember is that the less citizens feel connected to each other, the slower the pace of innovation becomes. Loneliness also harms companies. Employees without friends at work feel seven times less belonging than those with friends. Lonely employees take sick leave more often, have lower motivation, make more mistakes, perform worse, and have higher turnover rates. This results in significant costs from an employer's perspective.

Severe loneliness increases the risk of heart attacks and hypertension. Loneliness is as harmful to health as smoking 15 cigarettes a day. This also burdens the healthcare system, costing billions of dollars annually. Considering the economic and healthcare impacts, governments must take this seriously. Politically, it is important to recognize loneliness's influence on elections. Lonely people disproportionately vote for populist politicians. If you care about protecting democratic institutions, loneliness must be addressed.

- Given this, governments should recognize loneliness and social isolation as problems and take action.

▲ Governments should first address the impact of social media on young people's mental health, especially loneliness. It is important for Korea to know that other countries are already taking such measures. The UK has enacted the 'Online Safety Act,' holding social media companies much more accountable to protect young people's mental health, with fines or criminal liability for executives if they fail to comply. In the U.S., bipartisan support exists for limiting young people's social media use. Discussions about the age at which youth can access social media and restricting smartphone use in schools are increasing. This is becoming a global political agenda and should be discussed in Korea as well. Additionally, governments can establish community-based facilities?physical places where people can connect more with each other.

- The UK was the first to recognize loneliness as a social issue and created a dedicated ministry. How do you evaluate the UK's related policies?

▲ Former Prime Minister Theresa May's appointment of a Minister for Loneliness in 2018 was a clear acknowledgment by the UK government that this issue matters. However, in reality, the minister's authority and budget are limited, resulting in minimal achievements. Adequate funding should have been provided. So far, the UK's main achievement is becoming the first country to regulate social media through the Online Safety Act.

- Besides the government, are there solutions that companies or other sectors can offer to alleviate loneliness and social isolation?

▲ Many business leaders need to recognize that loneliness reduces productivity and increases turnover, negatively affecting business. They should enable people to connect. For example, employees should physically gather regularly to share meals. Open-plan offices can cause isolation, and wearing headphones at work can send a "do not disturb" message. Workspaces should be designed to encourage employees to be together. At the same time, employees should feel their voices are heard. Global tech company Cisco rewards employees who collaborate healthily and kindly with up to $10,000 (about 14 million KRW). Recognizing that loneliness and social isolation are business issues is beneficial.

- Lastly, what would you like to say to Korean readers?

▲ It is important for Korean youth to recognize how serious this problem is. Also, know that you are never alone. This is a global issue. It is crucial to understand that if left unaddressed, it is a ticking time bomb that will impact the economy, politics, and society. Governments, local authorities, business leaders, and individuals all have roles to play. The future is in our hands.

About Professor Norina Hertz

She is an influential British economist and global bestselling author. Since 2014, she has served as Honorary Professor at the Institute for Global Prosperity, University College London. She graduated from the University of London at age 19, earned an MBA from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, and a PhD in Economics from the University of Cambridge. She has held positions as Professor of Global Strategy at Duisenberg School of Finance, Associate Director of the Centre for International Business at the University of Cambridge, among others. As a global bestselling author, she has gained worldwide attention with works such as Silent Conquest (2001), Who Moves My Thoughts (2014), and The Lonely Century (2021). She spoke at the World Economic Forum (WEF) in 2015 and contributes to major media outlets including The New York Times (NYT), The Washington Post (WP), and The Wall Street Journal (WSJ).

Check your risk level for loneliness and social isolation

- Loneliness and Social Isolation Scale

https://www.asiae.co.kr/en/list/project/2024050314290051322A

If you want to read the 'Youth Isolation 24 Hours' series

<1>Youth isolated and reclusive people Asia Economy met
① I am a 28-year-old isolated youth... "A person who cannot fulfill a single role"
② Isolation caused by employment... A day spent without saying a word all day
③ Harder than parenting is having no one to talk to... That’s how depression came
④ Eating instant rice and ramen for 3 years and playing games all day... Emotional instability worsens eventually

<2>2024 Isolation Awareness Survey
① 6 out of 10 say "I feel lonely"... Complaints of relationship breakdown and deprivation
② "Feeling alone at work"... 1 in 2 office workers say isolation has worsened

<3>Youth isolated and reclusive people seen from the side
① 'COVID cohort' is at risk... This year's surge in counseling calls
② Traces left at the end of isolation... "I want to see mom and dad, I’m sorry"

<4>Reasons for isolation and social costs
① No job, no friends... Only a smartphone in hand
② Economic loss exceeds 11 trillion KRW... If neglected, the nation will also 'shake'

<5>Limitations of Korea’s three no-policy
① No control tower and 213 local ordinances 'all over the place'
② Solving 540,000 isolated and reclusive youth with 32 people?... Lack of budget, manpower, and research
③ Bitter end of copying Japan... Youth calling for Korean-style policies

<6>How the world is solving the isolation problem
① "Why no measures when smartphones are ruining youth?"... A sharp critique from a UK economist
② Japan with many reclusive loners... Focus on isolation among office workers
③ [Exclusive] WHO to create a global index to respond to 'isolation problem'


① Parents broken by guilt... "I’m grateful to be alive"