SOCIAL ISOLATION IN ADOLESCENCE IN THE DIGITAL AGE: IMPACTS ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF COMMUNICATION AND INTERPERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS IN ADULTHOOD

Abstract

This study addresses the social isolation experienced by adolescents in environments mediated by digital technologies and the effects of this phenomenon on the development of communicative skills and interpersonal relationships during adulthood. The choice of the theme is justified by the rapid expansion of digital platforms among young people and by the rise in complaints related to loneliness, social anxiety, and difficulties in affective bonding observed among contemporary young adults. The main objective is to analyze how intense use of social networks during adolescence interferes with the development of interpersonal communication and social bonds in adulthood. The methodology adopts a qualitative approach of a bibliographic nature, based on a narrative review of scientific articles published between 2008 and 2025, retrieved from the SciELO, PubMed, Cureus, and CAPES databases. The main results indicate that excessive use of digital platforms is associated with reduced face-to-face interactions, the emergence of anxious and depressive symptoms, nomophobia, and the deterioration of social skills. The conclusions point out that digital isolation during adolescence produces lasting effects on the communicational architecture of the adult, demanding public policies, active parental mediation, and educational practices focused on digital literacy.