The important issue is that humans strive to feel close with others. Does using social media causeloneliness? Or do people use social media more because they are feeling lonely and are looking to remedy that feeling? The problem with this research is the “chicken-or-the-egg” question.
(Researchers didn’t define what a “good” amount of social media usage is.) In a study done last year by the University of British Colombia, researchers found that, on average, individuals who used social media more often reported higher rates of loneliness compared to individuals who don’t use social media as often. In an earlier article, I wrote about how regular social media usage can actually decrease one’s self-esteem and confidence.Īnd it now appears that social media might contribute to feelings of loneliness as well. And we are not engaging in in-person relationships as much as we used to.Īn ongoing question amongst psychologists is how social media is impacting our relationships and the sense we have of ourselves. To go along with this, only about 50% of Americans today report having “meaningful in-person relationships.” That means that roughly half of us are not finding fulfillment in our relationships.
One study done in 2018 suggests that nearly 50% of Americans report feeling lonely “sometimes or always.” In fact, in 2017, former Surgeon General of the United States Vivek Murthy wrote that the rate of loneliness has doubled since the 80’s. Have you ever felt lonely despite being surrounded by other people? Sometimes people say that they have plenty of friends, family, and other social connections, but still feel the pangs of loneliness and disconnection.ĭespite the rise of social media and the ease with which we can connect to each other, loneliness has never been higher.
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