Can overuse of social media lead to feelings of loneliness, isolation?

Social media, meant to bring people together, is leaving its users feeling more isolated, according to researchers at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. A study published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine found that time spent on social media increases perceived social isolation.

"This is an important issue to study because mental health problems and social isolation are at epidemic levels among young adults," said lead author Brian A. Primack, MD, PhD, director of Pitt's Center for Research on Media, Technology and Health. "We are inherently social creatures, but modern life tends to compartmentalize us instead of bringing us together. While it may seem that social media presents opportunities to fill that social void, I think this study suggests that it may not be the solution people were hoping for."

The study analyzed 1,787 adults ages 19 to 32 using questionnaires asking about use of top social media platforms, including Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, Google Plus, Instagram and Snapchat. Researchers measured the perceived social isolation and the correlation to social media use.

Results showed that users who spent more than two hours a day had double the odds of feeling socially isolated when compared to those spending 30 minutes or less on social media a day. Frequency also played a part in increased perceived isolation; when users visited social media 58 or more times a day, their odds of perceived isolation increased three times.

Researchers formulated three theories as to why increased us of social media affects perceived isolation. The first theory stated that social media is a replacement for actual social interaction, and the more time spent online means less time for real interactions. The second theory pointed to certain features in social media, such viewing friends’ photos, can create perceptions of isolation. The third theory related to feelings of envy after viewing others social media, creating a sense of false belief that others are leaving better lives.

"People interact with each other over social media in many different ways," said Primack. "In a large population-based study such as this, we report overall tendencies that may or may not apply to each individual. I don't doubt that some people using certain platforms in specific ways may find comfort and social connectedness via social media relationships. However, the results of this study simply remind us that, on the whole, use of social media tends to be associated with increased social isolation and not decreased social isolation."