Negative experiences on social media make adults feel lonely

Adults who have negative experiences on social media tend to report loneliness, a recent study suggests.

According to the research, positive interactions on social media are not making young adults feel more connected, whereas negative experiences increase the likelihood of them reporting loneliness.

"Social media is, seemingly, about connecting people. So it is surprising and interesting that our investigations reveal social media being linked to loneliness," said lead author Brian Primack.

According to Primack, perceived social isolation, which is a synonym for loneliness, is associated with poor health outcomes, such as high blood pressure, heart disease and depression. Because social media is so pervasive, it is critically important that we understand why this is happening and how we can help people navigate social media without as many negative consequences.

As part of the study, Primack and his team surveyed 1,178 West Virginia University students aged 18 to 30 about their social media use, to what extent their experiences were positive or negative, and their level of perceived loneliness. Read More

Business Standard