Intensive social media use may be linked to increased loneliness in adults and youth, studies say

TL;DR

A study of US adults (30-70) found that accessing social media more than 22 times daily doubled their likelihood of feeling lonely.
Another study on US university students (18-24) revealed that those spending 30+ hours weekly on social media were 38% more prone to feeling isolated than those using it less than 16 hours.
Both studies observed a consistent pattern: greater social media usage correlated with higher reported levels of loneliness and isolation across different age groups.
Researchers suggest that excessive social media use may substitute for meaningful personal interactions, contributing to isolation.
Findings suggest potential public health implications, aligning with warnings about loneliness as a major health issue.
Recommendations include setting limits on digital use, promoting face-to-face interactions, and educating on healthy technology habits.

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