Full of Followers but Zero Friends in The Real World: The Social Media Paradox

The study showed that more than half of university students feel lonely and that excessive use of social media is associated with this feeling. The more time students spend on these platforms, the greater the chance of feeling disconnected, indicating that excessive use can harm, rather than help, social relationships.

Loneliness has become an increasingly important issue in today's society, especially among young adults. Although many people associate loneliness with being physically alone, it is actually a more complex feeling: it arises when there is a difference between the type of social connection a person desires and what they actually experience.

In other words, someone can be surrounded by people and still feel profoundly lonely. This phenomenon has grown in recent decades and is now considered by many experts to be a public health problem.

Among the most affected groups are university students, who are experiencing an intense phase of change. This period of life involves leaving home, building one's own identity, forming new relationships, and dealing with academic and professional pressures.

All these transformations can make it difficult to create deep and lasting bonds, increasing feelings of disconnection. Studies show that loneliness tends to peak around the ages of 18 to 20, precisely when many young people enter university. Besides being an unpleasant feeling, loneliness can have serious health consequences.

Research indicates that people who frequently feel lonely have a higher risk of developing problems such as depression and anxiety. In more severe cases, prolonged loneliness can even impact physical health and increase the risk of death. This shows that loneliness is not just an emotional issue, but also an important factor for overall well-being.

In recent years, technological advancements have profoundly changed how young people relate to each other. Social networks have become one of the main means of interaction, allowing people to share moments, opinions, and connect with others quickly.

Popular platforms among young people include Instagram, Facebook, and Snapchat, often used simultaneously. While these tools can facilitate contact, they don't necessarily replace more meaningful face-to-face interactions.

One important point investigated by the researchers is the excessive use of these networks. In this study, excessive use was considered when a person spends two hours or more per day on these platforms. This pattern may indicate not only a frequent habit, but also an addiction that interferes with other areas of life, such as studies, relationships, and mental health. Instead of promoting connection, excessive use can end up reducing the time dedicated to real and deeper interactions.

To better understand this relationship, the researchers analyzed data from nearly 65,000 university students in the United States, aged between 18 and 24. They used information from a large national survey on student health and applied statistical methods to assess whether there was a relationship between time spent on social media and feelings of loneliness.

This type of analysis allows for the identification of patterns and the estimation of the probability of certain behaviors being associated with certain feelings or conditions.

The results showed that students who used social media for longer periods were more likely to report feelings of loneliness. Furthermore, the study found that 54% of students reported feeling lonely, which is consistent with other recent research in the US. Female and Black students were more likely to feel lonely.

Students enrolled in hybrid courses reported less loneliness than those attending fully in-person classes, possibly because they maintained contact with existing friends. Students who participated in fraternities or sororities were among those who felt least lonely, probably due to the higher frequency of social events. Conversely, those who lived with their parents reported higher levels of loneliness than students who lived on campus.

Students were also asked about how much time they spent on social media per week. About 13% reported heavy use, defined as at least 16 hours per week. As usage increased, so did the likelihood of feeling lonely. Students who used social media for 16 to 20 hours per week were 19% more likely to report feeling lonely than those who did not use it.

The most frequent users, those who spend at least 30 hours a week on social media, were 38% more likely to feel lonely.

Researchers warn that the relationship can work both ways. Some students may feel more lonely because social media replaces face-to-face interaction, while others, who already feel isolated, may turn to online platforms for support.

READ MORE:

Exploration of excessive social media use with loneliness among U.S. College students

Madelyn J. Hill, Keith A. King, Rebecca A. Vidourek, Matthew Lee Smith, and Ashley L. Merianos

Journal of American College Health. 15 February 2026. 1–9.DOI: 10.1080/07448481.2025.2573108

Abstract:

This study explored the association between excessive social media use (ESMU; i.e., ≥2 h per day) and loneliness among U.S. college students. Participants: There were 64,988 U.S. undergraduate college students ages 18–24 years in this study. A secondary analysis of the 2022–2023 American College Health Association’s National College Health Assessment data was performed. Adjusted logistic regression analyses were conducted. About 13% of students reported using social media platforms for ≥16 h per week. Adjusted model results found that college students with ESMU had increased odds of reporting loneliness compared to students with 0 h per week of social media. College students with ESMU are at increased odds of experiencing loneliness. Programs and interventions targeting ESMU may contribute to improved loneliness among students.