Positive interactions on social media make young adults more disconnected, while negative experiences increase the likelihood of them reporting loneliness, new research shows. The findings build on award-winning research conducted by the center in 2017, showing that increased social media use is linked to increased feelings of loneliness.
The researchers surveyed 1,178 college students between the ages of 18 and 30 about their use of social media, to what extent their experiences were positive or negative, and their level of perceived loneliness. The authors studied these perceptions of social media interactions in every combination of platforms students used.
For every ten percent increase in negative social media experiences, participants reported a 13 percent increase in feelings of loneliness. However, for every 10 percent increase in positive social media experiences, participants reported no statistically significant change in feelings of loneliness.
It's not clear whether people who feel lonely seek out or attract negative social media experiences, or whether they have negative social media experiences that lead to a sense of isolation, the study author said.
