About the project

Our sociological study will shed light on the role of digital technologies in addressing loneliness, focusing on the experiences of self-identified lonely people and the responses of policymakers and service organisations. This study is the first to focus on more than one specific group or technology/platform to include the experiences of Australians—of different genders, ages, and sociocultural backgrounds, from urban, regional, and rural locations—who may use different technologies in different ways.

Our objectives are:
●To investigate to what extent Australians who feel lonely use digital technologies and related social media platforms to meet their social needs.
●To uncover what role digital technologies are assigned in policies and programs for reducing loneliness.
●To reveal whether some technologies are favoured in strategies to address loneliness and, if so, whether this is supported by the evidence.
●To develop policy and practical responses for the national benefit.

Our project will make a major contribution to understanding the role of digital technologies in the lives of people who feel lonely, including whether technologies reduce or reinforce loneliness. Our study involves a combination of methods:

Survey
We have conducted a survey on loneliness and digital technologies and are currently analysing the data.

Policy analysis
We have undertaken an analysis of the Australian policy on loneliness and digital technologies.

Interviews with key stakeholders
We are currently recruiting for interviews with researchers, policymakers, advocates, and frontline service workers in government and not-for-profit sectors in Australia and overseas. If you are interested in participating, please contact allegra.schermuly@monash.edu