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mental health matters: are our screens getting the best of us?
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nearly one in four (24 per cent) people who connect only online are frequently lonely, compared to 15 per cent of those who connect both in-person and virtually.
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technology means we can connect instantly with anyone, anywhere.
yet, people in canada are struggling with loneliness. as we spend more time online, this mental health week, the canadian mental health association (cmha) is asking: what does it mean for our mental health?
youth are the loneliest of all age groups: almost one in five5 youth aged 16—24 report feeling lonely often or always. at the same time, they are the heaviest users of social media and digital tools.
young people are at the centre of the issue, but they’re not alone in feeling lonely.
nearly all people in canada are connected to the internet, and about eight in 10 use social media, many spending hours every day online. about five million people in canada (13 per cent of our population) report feeling lonely often or always.
loneliness is linked to anxiety, depression, substance use, and disengagement.
“connecting with each other is an antidote to loneliness, and it protects our mental health. but how we connect matters,” cmha national president and lead executive marion cooper said. “spending more time online doesn’t always mean feeling more connected.”
statistics canada data from 2025 show that virtual connection alone is not enough. people who rely only on virtual connection with family and friends are more likely to feel lonely.
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nearly one in four (24 per cent) people who connect only online are frequently lonely, compared to 15 per cent of those who connect both in-person and virtually.
“while technology can help us to connect, it can’t replace face-to-face connection, which is essential for our mental health,” said cooper. “we need to create space for real, human connection, both for children and for all of us.”
for mental health week, which is from may 4—10, cmha’s come together, canada campaign encourages people across the country to connect for real with one another, because connection strengthens mental health.
for more information on the power and science of human connection, visit: mentalhealthweek.ca.
do you need help?
dial or text 2-1-1 for free and confidential service that easily connects people to the critical social and community supports they need. if you are thinking of suicide, please call 9-8-8 which is a mental health crisis and suicide prevention line.
the information provided is not a substitute for professional advice. if you need advice, please consult a qualified health-care professional. for further information or if you want to access our services at cmha, please call 1-800-493-8271 or visit our website at www.cmha-east.on.ca.
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this article was originally published in the cornwall standard-freeholder on may 1, 2026.
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