In recent years, the global rise in loneliness has emerged as a significant public health challenge, garnering attention from researchers worldwide. Despite the proliferation of social media platforms such as TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook, which ostensibly promise enhanced social connectivity, new research from Oregon State University reveals a paradoxical and troubling association: increased social media use correlates with heightened feelings of loneliness among U.S. adults. This counterintuitive finding challenges common assumptions that digital interaction can mitigate social isolation and underscores the complexity of modern social behaviors.
The study, spearheaded by Jessica Gorman at the OSU College of Health, utilized a nationally representative sample exceeding 1,500 U.S. adults aged 30 to 70. By examining both the frequency and the duration of social media engagement, the research expands on earlier investigations that primarily focused on younger populations. Notably, an important contribution of this analysis is its validation that social media usage patterns resonate similarly across a broader age spectrum, dispelling notions that older adults are immune to these effects due to generational differences.
Specifically, the researchers measured social media interaction through two distinct metrics: how often individuals accessed social platforms and the cumulative time spent during these interactions. Interestingly, both factors—whether short, frequent checks or prolonged engagement—demonstrated a comparable connection to elevated loneliness levels. This nuanced understanding suggests that the manner and pattern of social media use, rather than simply quantity, play critical roles in shaping psychological outcomes. Thus, it is not merely the total time spent online but also the habitual nature of these engagements that may exacerbate feelings of isolation.
Brian Primack, co-author and prior investigator of social media’s impact on young adults, emphasized the robust nature of the findings across age groups. Those situated in the highest quartile of social media frequency exhibited more than double the probability of reporting loneliness compared to those in the lowest quartile. This potent correlation hints at underlying psychosocial mechanisms transcending demographic boundaries, challenging the idea that social connectedness in digital spaces equates to meaningful interpersonal bonds.
The public health implications of these findings are profound. Loneliness, defined as the subjective perception of inadequate social connections and support, has been implicated in adverse health outcomes ranging from cardiovascular disease and substance abuse to mental health disorders and intimate partner violence. Compounding its severity, a 2023 advisory from the U.S. Surgeon General equated the deleterious health effects of chronic loneliness to the harms of smoking fifteen cigarettes per day. This advisory further identified excessive social media use as a contemporary risk factor, underscoring the urgency of examining digital behaviors in the context of societal well-being.
Contextualizing these trends, it is important to recognize that the prevalence of loneliness in the United States was already on the rise prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, which subsequently intensified the issue through prolonged physical distancing and social restrictions. Current estimates suggest that approximately 50% of American adults experience loneliness, highlighting a widespread epidemic that extends across socio-demographic strata and geographic regions. The research from Oregon State University thereby contributes vital insight into one of the digital age’s paradoxes: the omnipresence of virtual connectivity paired with pervasive social disconnection.
One consideration in interpreting these results involves generational differences in digital literacy and social media proficiency. Older adults, often described as “digital immigrants,” may navigate social platforms less intuitively than younger “digital natives.” This digital fluency gap could exacerbate feelings of alienation when online interactions fall short of fulfilling social needs or trigger negative self-comparisons. The study suggests that these dynamics might partially explain why increased social media use correlates with loneliness in older demographics, signaling the need for tailored digital literacy and mental health interventions.
It is crucial to note the correlational nature of the study, which precludes definitive conclusions about causality. The relationship between social media use and loneliness could be bidirectional or involve confounding variables. It is plausible that individuals experiencing loneliness are more inclined to seek social media as a coping mechanism, while simultaneously, extensive platform use might intensify feelings of detachment through unfulfilled social expectations or exposure to idealized portrayals of others’ lives. Future longitudinal and experimental research is needed to disentangle these complex pathways.
Despite these uncertainties, the study advocates caution in the context of heavy social media consumption. The persistence of loneliness among frequent users suggests that digital engagement is not a panacea for social isolation. Interventions promoting balanced and mindful use of technology, alongside efforts to foster real-world social connections, may be critical in addressing the loneliness crisis. In particular, public health strategies should incorporate an awareness of the psychological dimensions of social media use and its potential to either alleviate or exacerbate mental health challenges.
Moreover, the methodological rigor of this research strengthens its significance. Employing survey weights ensured that findings are broadly representative of the U.S. adult population, enhancing the generalizability of the observed associations. By controlling for multiple sociodemographic variables—including gender, age, sexual orientation, educational attainment, employment status, and marital status—the study isolates social media use as a distinct correlate of loneliness. This adjusted analysis supports the claim that frequent or prolonged social platform engagement contributes independently to feelings of isolation.
The multidisciplinary team behind the study included experts Hyosin Kim, Kari-Lyn Sakuma, Geethika Koneru, Memuna Aslam, and Cesar Arredondo Abreu, with funding from the National Institutes of Health. Their collaborative effort advances critical understanding at the intersection of digital behavior, psychology, and public health. The findings highlight the imperative for ongoing research into how modern communication technologies reshape social experiences and impact well-being across diverse populations.
In conclusion, Oregon State University’s latest evidence challenges the widespread assumption that social media serves as an antidote to loneliness. Instead, it depicts a nuanced landscape where increased usage, irrespective of age, corresponds with heightened feelings of social isolation. As the digital landscape continues to evolve, these insights underscore the urgency of developing informed and adaptive healthcare policies that address the psychological consequences of our increasingly connected yet simultaneously fragmented world.
Subject of Research: People
Article Title: Time and Frequency of Social Media Use and Loneliness Among U.S. Adults
News Publication Date: 1-Oct-2025
Web References:
- Study published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/22/10/1510
- U.S. Surgeon General advisory on social connection: https://www.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/surgeon-general-social-connection-advisory.pdf
References: DOI 10.3390/ijerph22101510
Image Credits: Steve Lundeberg, Oregon State University
Keywords: Social psychology, Social network theory
