New Research Confirms Heavy Social Media Use Deepens Feelings of Loneliness

New Research Confirms Heavy Social Media Use Deepens Feelings of Loneliness
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A recent study led by researchers at Oregon State University has provided compelling evidence that heavy social media use is directly associated with heightened feelings of loneliness across the adult lifespan, Earth.com revealed. The findings challenge the notion that constant digital connection alleviates isolation.

The research surveyed over 1,500 adults between the ages of 30 and 70. It determined that participants who either checked platforms more frequently or spent longer total periods scrolling were consistently more likely to report feeling lonely. This pattern remained statistically significant even after adjusting for demographic factors like age, gender, and marital status.

Crucially, the study found the link was not limited to young people, with the correlation between heavy usage and loneliness proving just as strong for those near retirement age as it was for young adults. Specifically, those in the top quarter for social media frequency were more than twice as likely to be classified as lonely.

While the study is correlational and cannot definitively prove that social media causes loneliness, it strongly suggests that for many, increased time spent on apps like TikTok and Facebook fails to provide genuine connection, potentially crowding out real-world interactions. The authors underscore that since loneliness is linked to serious health risks, these findings recommend caution regarding heavy screen time among U.S. adults.