In South Korea, there has been a marked increase in cases of "hikikomori", a term borrowed from Japan to describe socially withdrawn youth who confine themselves to their homes. Although the exact reasons for this uptick remain unclear, experts have cited factors like pressured academic environment, limited job prospects, and widespread cyberbullying. Mental health awareness campaigns and community support interventions have been launched to remediate the issue.

In Japan, where the term "hikikomori" originated, the rise of socially withdrawn youth has been a subject of national concern for several decades. It touches on issues of youth development, labor force participation, and mental health. Various measures such as therapy, support groups, and government assistance programs are implemented to help these individuals re-integrate into society.

In the EU and US, similar issues can be found in studies relating to youth isolation, loneliness, and mental health challenges. Solutions leans towards strategic implementation of children and adolescent mental health services, community programs, and raising awareness of such issues within society.