The new fear at work: digital solitude (and the paradox of being always connected, but isolated)

Digital loneliness is increasingly widespread, despite the technology allows you to connect people. Once the digital connections seemed like a solution, now they reveal an emotional vacuum which is not filled by virtual interactions. So remote workers often face it. It is not only linked to the physical distance, but also to the quality of the social connections that technology cannot replace.

How many are the workers remotely

The data collected by the digital innovation observers of the Polytechnic of Milan tell us that I knowno 3.55 million workers remotely. A phenomenon that does not seem to slow down despite the stop to all Smart Working measures Simplified: for 2025, a 5%growth is expected, which would touch 3.75 million people.

Growing insulation

If on the one hand, distance work offers numerous advantages in terms of flexibility and reduction of movement times, on the other it brings with it a growing social isolation. The lack of spontaneous and informal interactions that take place in the officelike a chat at the coffee machine or a random encounter between colleagues, makes this type of workers often feel excluded from a sense of belonging.

Build a community

«It is not enough to be digitally connected to overcome loneliness. Confront those who do the same work, share experiences and reflections, can make a difference. True freedom in remote work does not only reside in independence, but in the ability to build a solid community that is reasons, « explains Dario Vignali, co-founder of Marketers.

The new era of digital nomads

Digital nomadic life, often celebrated on social media, offers a unique experience of freedom and adventure. Many choose to establish authentic connections even if these are temporary. Flexible work allows you to explore the world, but also leads to the need to maintain a balance between independence and deep relationships. To create significant links, many digital nomads participate in online communities and networking events, favoring the construction of social networks during their travels.

Radication experiences

A trend among digital nomads is to stop in places for longer periods, instead of moving continuously. This temporary rooting is gaining popularity, with Examples such as farm in New Zealand, where workers stop to help with the crops, or camping in Japan and China, Where digital nomads choose to settle for weeks or months, immersing themselves in local culture and establishing lasting relationships. This new approach offers the opportunity to balance the freedom of the journey with the need for stability and social connection.

And the feelings of sadness

In the context of remote work, the younger generations, such as Gen Z and Millennial, are experiencing a significant change in their way of working and relating. The flexibility of the remote job is a unique opportunity, but for Gen Z, who started his career during the pandemicand Millennials who often struggle to define their professional identity, adapting to a reality where physical contact is limited can lead to a new form of work experience. This sort of work isolation can lead to feelings of sadness, solitude and frustration.

Motivational deficits

As Dario Vignali observes that « the difficulty in building ties can make many young professionals feel disconnected, not only by colleagues, but also by their own role and by the aspirations that motivate them. Loneliness, therefore, is not only a side effect of remote work, but a reality with which the new generations are confronted Every day, pushing to rethink the approach to work and social connection « .

The proposals on the table

To reduce this impact, innovative solutions are needed: to create digital social rituals, where teams meet not only to work, but to share experiences and emotions, can strengthen the sense of community. Another effective proposal could be the introduction of mentorship programs or the Buddy Systemin which remote workers are flanked by colleagues with whom to build authentic connections, going beyond the pure professional appearance.