More than half of US college students report feeling lonely, with heavy social media use potentially contributing to it. A study of nearly 65,000 students aged 18 to 24 found that spending 16 hours per week on social media was linked to increased loneliness.
The research was published in the Journal of American College Health and led by Dr. Madelyn Hill, now an assistant professor at Ohio University. She conducted the study while completing her doctoral work at the University of Cincinnati.
The study analyzed responses from 64,988 students at over 120 US colleges. Participants reported how often they felt left out, isolated, or lacking companionship. Notably, 54 percent said they felt lonely.
Researchers also asked about weekly social media use. About 13 percent reported at least 16 hours weekly, roughly two hours daily. The data showed a clear pattern: increased social media use correlated with higher loneliness.
Students using social media 16 to 20 hours weekly were 19 percent more likely to feel lonely than non-users. This risk rose to 23 percent for 21 to 25 hours, 34 percent for 26 to 30 hours, and 38 percent for over 30 hours weekly.
The study found group differences: female and Black students reported more loneliness. Students living at home felt lonelier than those on campus. Fraternity and sorority members were less likely to feel isolated, likely due to frequent social events. Students in hybrid classes reported less loneliness than those attending fully in person, possibly because they maintained older friendships.
The researchers caution that the study does not prove that social media directly causes loneliness. It may work both ways. Some students may feel lonely because they spend less time meeting friends in person. At the same time, lonely students may turn to social media for support.
Still, the authors believe colleges should take action. They recommend educating students about the potential risks of excessive social media use and encouraging them to set time limits for their use. Strengthening offline social connections, they say, is essential for protecting young people’s mental health.
In an age of constant connectivity, this study reminds us that being online does not always mean feeling connected.
