American Study: Social media deepens loneliness

They were supposed to do the opposite, but social media like “Titter”, “Facebook” or “Pinterests” are making more and more people feel lonely. According to American psychologists, who have drafted a report on the subject, more than two hours of social media stays a day, double the chances of a person experiencing social isolation. The report claims that exposure to ideal representations of other people's lives can cause feelings of envy.

The study has also stopped at “users Instagram”, “Snapchat” and “Tumblr”. “We do not yet know who comes first, the use of social media or social isolation perceived”, the authors say, but it is possible according to them that young people, who initially feel isolated socially, return to social media. Or, it may happen, their overuse of social media leads to a sense of isolation from the real world.

The theories on the report suggest that the more time a person spends online, the less time remains for interaction in the real world. Users can also fuel the feelings of expulsion, for example if they are looking at pictures of friends who enjoy an event they are not invited to.

The team of researchers has surveyed about 2 thousand adults, ages 19 to 32, for using social media. According to them, this report is important for studying mental health problems and social isolation that are at epidemic levels among adults.

We are social creatures, but modern life is trying to divide us instead of unite us, researchers say. Although social media may seem to provide an opportunity to fill the social vacuum, this study suggests that it may not be the solution for which people hope.