What if leaving your bedroom felt impossible?
Show notes
Across Asia, a growing number of young people are becoming hikikomori, a term used to describe people who suffer from a severe social withdrawal. They shut themselves in their homes, retreating from work, school, or their families for months, sometimes years.
That condition was first observed in Japan but other countries like South Korea, China and Singapore have since reported a rising number of youths choosing to shut themselves at home. That’s raising difficult questions about loneliness, social pressure and mental health.
Some countries like South Korea are trying something unexpected: government-backed AI chatbots designed to build trust with socially isolated young people and encourage them to reconnect with the world. But can an artificial companion really help someone return to society? Or could it end up becoming another reason to stay hidden?
On this episode of Asia Specific, host Mariko Oi speaks to BBC news journalist Sophie Jeong who has reported on the phenomenon in South Korea, as well as Paul Wong, a clinical psychologist and a professor at Hong Kong University. Together, they explore why more young people are disappearing from public life, and whether AI is part of the solution, or part of the problem.
This episode discusses social isolation in Asia. Viewers who identify with the issues raised are encouraged to seek local support.
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