The Loneliness of Social Media

Matt Léger

Social media should a be tool, rather than the main platform for connecting with friends.

This is made evident when examining the extreme effects of social media on our lives.

Social Media:

1. A cause for loneliness

2. A cure for loneliness

3. Finding the balance

1. The Cause

Social media presents users with “opportunit[ies] to connect with others [whereby there is a] […] lack of social contact.” 2

This is because social media interaction puts convenience in the forefront at the cost of genuine interactions. 10

As a result, the connections made through these platforms are shallow because users can disengage at will. 11

Furthermore, social media users admit to using platforms such as Facebook to “creep on people”. 1 This toxic behaviour makes consumers “feel the inadequacy of [their] social li[ves]” 2

Such activities are a hindrance to mental health and can cause depression, which is considered “a disease of loneliness”.9

2. The Cure

Easily inferred from its title,

social media is a catalyst for social interaction.

The six degrees of separation principle infers that “everyone on the planet is separated by six people.” 3 However, according to Facebook, their users are actually

connected through “an average of less than three and a half [friends].” 3

The digital world has taken its place alongside school and friends’ houses and extracurriculars as a place where teens go to make and strengthen friendships.” 7

As a matter of fact, “57% of teens have met a new friend online.” 6

By the same token, a “third of couples [are] marrying someone they met online.” 5

3. Finding the balance

Studies have found poor psychological functioning among teens who are heavy user of social media. This is because no one is telling them to “toss their phones in the garbage.” 8

This is not implying that social media consumption should be eliminated. Instead, it infers that usage should be “limit[ed]”.8

? So how do we achieve this balance

By defining the purpose of social media use, consumers will be more equipped to practice self-restraint. 4

Takeaway

Social media is an extremely power tool, and this is how it should remain. Social media should not be the platform for social interaction because it can lead to loneliness. That being said, users who are able to restrict their consumption of social media by defining their usage goals will realized the benefits that social media has to offer.

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