Is Social Media Making Adolescents Feel Lonely? Understanding The Digital Paradox

Everyone is aware that in today’s adolescents’ lives, social media platforms such as BeReal, TikTok and Instagram are an integral part of their daily routines, making us believe that everyone is more connected than ever. However, a growing concern regarding the rising levels of loneliness in adolescents is alarming (HBSC, 2023). This article explores the complex relationship between loneliness and social media, together with some tips to maintain a healthy relationship with these platforms whilst safeguarding our mental health.

Social Media: A Constant Companion

One can easily say that the majority of adolescents have access to smartphones. Anderson and Jiang (2018) highlight that 95% of teens own smartphones and 45% report to be online on a near to constant basis. The benefits of these platforms are numerous, offering a space for adolescents to share their stories, create an identity that they desire and to connect with one another. However, there seems to be a darker side to this constant “connectivity”. Twenge et al. (2021) explain how the psychological wellbeing of adolescents began to decline after 2012, simultaneously smart phone access and internet usage increased. Despite being constantly online, research suggests that many adolescents feel lonely and isolated (HBSC, 2023). Indeed worldwide we have witnessed an epidemic of loneliness. Loneliness is often explained as a lack of emotional support and decline in social connections. This feeling of loneliness is particularly troubling given the data indicating a deterioration in psychological wellbeing over time, particularly among 15-year-olds (HBSC, 2023). The research conducted by Primack et al. (2017) revealed that heavy social media users were three times more likely to experience isolation compared to peers that used social media less.

Social Media: Blessing and Curse

The benefit of social media is that it has the opportunity to keep us connected and can provide a sense of belonging through virtual communities. It allows adolescents to remain connected especially when physical connection is not possible, for instance migrant adolescents or sickness. Moreover, for adolescents who struggle with anxiety or with social situations, social media can be a platform that helps them feel more comfortable to interact with peers. In cases of marginalised youth, online support can be a lifeline, such in the case of LGBTQ+ adolescents who are unable to discuss their identity with their caregivers.

On the other hand, social media can pull us down a rabbit hole leading our youth to pay a price for using such platforms. As we all know technology is expertly designed to pull us in and keep us hooked on our devices. Features such as notifications, videos that start playing automatically and ‘like’ buttons make it harder to use social media mindfully (Weir, 2023).

In extreme cases, the addiction to social media can interfere with sleep, in-person social interactions, schoolwork and physical activity, all of which influence a decline in mental health.

Social Media & Loneliness

The time spent on social media may be replacing the time spent in face-to-face interactions which create more meaningful bonds. As humans we need physical interactions to feel connected and loved, leading to better mental and physical health. Therefore, less in-person interactions brings about loneliness. Another factor is the Fear of Missing Out (FOMO). Through social media, adolescents have the opportunity to see what others are doing and this may create a sense of missing out, which leads to a rise in anxiety (Beyens et al., 2016). This may result in compulsive social media use, which ironically, can heighten feelings of loneliness (Przybylski et al., 2013).

Tips To Have A Healthier Relationship With Social Media

Educating oneself

It is essential to educate our young people on the realities of social media by having open conversations on the benefits and risks of these platforms. We need to help adolescents become critical thinkers to be able to evaluate the content they consume and learn how to foster healthier habits online. Moreover, we need to educate them on how to remain safe online, how to protect their personal information and how to detect misinformation and disinformation.

Boundaries

As adults we need to help adolescents create healthy boundaries with social media platforms. Research shows that early adolescents are more sensitive to comparing with others, thus it would be wise to prolong their exposure on social media until they are older. This will safeguard adolescents’ mental health as it prevents extra comparison. Once they start using these platforms it is crucial to have boundaries on screen time and allow more time for face-to-face interactions. Create phone free zones such as during meals, in the car and no more devices usage after 9pm to promote healthier sleep hygiene.

Be mindful

Teach adolescents to be thoughtful when logging in on these platforms by instigating them to ask a simple question like ‘how come I want to use this app?’. This may help users become more mindful, resulting in taking control of what they are doing, rather than scrolling mindlessly. Before posting, help them to think about what they are sending to the world, by encouraging to ask themselves ‘would I send this photo/reel to a broadcasting news to publish it?’, ‘will I be happy if my teachers/future employers/family members see this?’. Furthermore, educate them to be in the moment rather than immediately posting about it. Give it a day or two after the special event has passed before sharing it online; this may help users become more present and less anxious.

Be good role models

Ultimately, it all boils down to what adolescents are observing the adults around them doing. If, as adults, we would like our teens to have a healthier relationship with such platforms, we need to show them how it is done. Therefore, we need to practice all of these tips ourselves to be able to guide them.