Misanthropy: An Inadvertent Outcome of New Media

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I speak for Nigeria; before the 21st century, communal associations were unavoidable. We visited our friends; we held physical parties; we played outdoor games with our neighbours, and got involved in many face-to-face engagements. We had no choice if we didn’t want to have nervous breakdown as a result of loneliness.

In recent years, civilization via digitization, has brought much benefits to mankind. Along also come so many unintended negative implications.

Out of over 200 million Nigerians, more than 70 million people have access to internet on their phones; with Netflix, Paramount+, Amazon Prime Video and other movie Apps, many people can be by themselves 24-7. Lovers of football and other sports can watch live programs on their phones all year round.

New media has successfully kept us apart. It is very possible for a couple not to have worthwhile communication for days despite having no rift in their relationship. So long there is power on their phones and other gadgets, why should they interact?

Parents don’t model social norms to their kids anymore; everyone is busy with their mobile devices.

It is now easy to thrive without relating with people. E-commerce sites also make it possible to buy almost anything without saying a word to anybody. Just have a loaded debit/credit card and you can shop from anywhere in the world.

In my practice, I have observed increasing social issues in families. Insidiously, we are growing apart. Problems that would have been resolved early in the days when we had no alternative to physical interaction now linger since interdependence is non-existent due to the digital devices in our hands. Many diseases are provoked or perpetuated by social distancing; new media aids our poor relationships.

We need to be intentional if we want to preserve our social cohesion. Virtual meetings should be intentionally minimized to foster physical interactions. Couples should agree on keeping gadgets away for a period of time and build their relationship.

Parents need to assert themselves when kids ask for individual screen time. We should tell them stories; we should watch programs that appeal to all age groups.

We should do everything to sustain our physical engagements if we want to protect our psychosocial wellbeing.

Ademola Orolu


About the Author

Ademola is a Consultant Family Physician and writer. He founded the online health magazine, The Family Doctors, and was its Editor-in-Chief from 2017 to 2020, when he wounded up the magazine to concentrate on his full-time medical practice, Nathaniel Health Consulting, Matogbun, Ogun State. 

He is an author of many books including storybooks. He regularly writes on health-promoting topics and encourages positive behavioural change in his articles.

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