Social media was designed to bring us together, connecting us with family and friends no matter the distance — but what happens when it does the opposite? A study recently published in the Journal of American College Health suggests that excessive social media use among college students may be associated with an increased likelihood of loneliness.
Researchers at the University of Cincinnati investigated social media use and loneliness among college students in the United States. The study included nearly 65,000 undergraduate students age 18 to 24 from 120 four-year colleges or universities.
Breaking Down Social Media Habits
Students were asked to estimate how much time they spent on social media each week. Spending more than 16 hours a week (or two or more hours a day) was considered high use, and about 13% of participants fell into this category. The largest group (37%) spent between one to five hours a week on social media, while the second-largest group (31%) used it for six to 10 hours. Female students, on average, reported using social media more than male students.
Those same students also shared how often they felt lonely by answering a few simple questions on whether they felt left out, isolated from others, or lacked companionship. More than half of the students (54%) reported feeling lonely based on these responses.
The Link Between Screen Time and Loneliness
What stood out most was the connection between time spent on social media and loneliness. Students who reported using social media for more than 16 hours a week were significantly more likely to feel lonely. And the more time they spent online, the stronger that connection became. Those using social media for more than 30 hours a week were 38% more likely to feel lonely than those who didn’t use it at all.
While the study highlights a strong connection, it’s not always clear whether social media leads to loneliness — or if people who feel lonely are more likely to spend time online. It’s important to note that not all social media use was associated with loneliness. Students who reported using social media less than 16 hours a week were not more likely to experience loneliness compared to those who didn’t use it at all.
Rebuilding Connection Offline
Young adults are already at a higher risk of experiencing loneliness. They are twice as likely to report loneliness as people over the age of 66, and research suggests that loneliness is often highest around ages 18 and 19. New stressors related to identity, independence, distance from family, attending college, or entering the workforce might contribute to feelings of loneliness.
In light of the findings, Dr. Ashley L Merianos, one of the paper’s authors, suggested that public health strategies should focus on helping students build more offline connections, especially given that excessive social media use may be replacing meaningful interactions.
