Alone on the road

Loneliness among digital nomads and the use of social media to foster personal relationships

Bibliographic Data

ID6441985
AuthorsCristina Miguel (0000-0002-0309-7050, University of Reading), Christoph Lutz (0000-0003-4389-6006, BI Norwegian Business School, corresponding author), Rodrigo Perez‐vega (0000-0003-1619-317X, Henley Business School, University of Reading, UK), Filip Majetić (0000-0001-8685-7248, Institute of Social Sciences Ivo Pilar, Croatia)
Year2024
Volume47
Issue3
Pages546-566
Publication date2024-10-30
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueMedia Culture & Society (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0163-4437 • E-ISSN: 1460-3675
PublisherSAGE Publishing (PUBLISHER • US)
DOI10.1177/01634437241290087
OpenAlexW4403889851
LanguageEN
Citations received13
References cited81

The “digital nomad” (DN) neotribe includes professionals who work remotely from different locations. Despite the benefits of digital nomadism (e.g. work flexibility, high mobility, and leisure-centeredness) and opportunities for meeting like-minded people, one of the consequences of the lifestyle may be loneliness. By using 30 in-depth interviews, this study explores the interaction between digital nomadism and loneliness. We conceptualize the DN lifestyle as a continuum that may, but does not have to, lead to feelings of loneliness. External factors such as lack of social support, often related to the capacity to stay in a place long enough to build a network or the social competence skills to connect with others, may contribute to greater levels of loneliness. Conversely, in line with networked individualism, we examine how DNs seek more control over constructing their own social networks in the context of a hyperindividualistic society. Instagram, Facebook groups, Slack, MeetUp, CouchSurfing, and Tinder are identified as key platforms for DNs to connect with people, especially for bridging social capital, whereas WhatsApp is used more for bonding social capital. The paper offers a timely discussion of the way that DNs use different social media platforms to overcome loneliness, forge intimate connections, and build community

Advertising · Business · Digital media · Internet privacy · Loneliness · Social media · Sociology · World Wide Web · Computer Science · Digital Economy and Work Transformation · Impact of Technology on Adolescents · Psychology · Social Psychology · Technology Use by Older Adults