The continuous rise of technology has brought forth the immense world of social media. Through various apps such as TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat, and X, people from all parts of the world are able to connect with each other. Individuals are able to make new friends online and maintain old friendships digitally. Social media allows celebrities to engage with their fans directly, fostering a bigger community. However, while online interactions are increasing, real life relationships appear to be declining. According to a Gallup survey in 2023, approximately 20% of US adults feel lonely daily. In another survey encompassing 142 countries, about 24% of individuals aged 15 and older reported feeling lonely. This is largely due to social media creating an illusion of connection while often depending on feelings of isolation. 

A way social media has caused a sense of loneliness in society is by altering the way we communicate. Instead of having deep, meaningful conversations with the people around us, interactions have been reduced to likes, emojis, and brief comments. With about 239 million Americans – roughly 70% of the US population – using social media, the chances of getting recognized by a lot of people on social media can be extremely low. Thus, getting attention from people online can feel like a big deal. While these small digital affirmations may give people a fleeting sense of validation, they lack the emotional depth needed to build genuine relationships. Yet, many people on social media rely heavily on views and likes in order to feel validated. This small moment of validity causes people to substitute real-life interactions with virtual ones, leading social lives to be less fulfilling.  

Ironically, the pursuit of connection through social media can lead to physical isolation. Hours spent scrolling through feeds replaces time that could be used for in-person socialization. Moreover, spending extended periods of  time on the internet can lead to negative effects on the brain. A study by JAMA Psychiatry shows that teens who spend more than three hours on social media had heightened risks of psychological and mental health issues, including loneliness, depression, and suicide. 

Furthermore, by trying to make connections with others through social media, individuals are inevitably going to encounter harmful people. A 10% increase in negative experiences on social media correlates to a 13% rise in loneliness. 

For younger generations who have grown up on social media, the effects of this phenomenon is even more profound. Many teenagers and young adults struggle with anxiety and depression linked to online interactions, cyberbullying, and the pressure to maintain a certain image. According to the National Center for Health Research, 13% of teens ranging from 12 to 17 years old have reported depression from social media, and of that group, 32% reported to have anxiety. The decline in mental health can cause people to refrain from real-life social interactions, scared that they will be even more hurt. 

Ultimately, true connection requires effort beyond the screen. Social media may offer the illusion of companionship, but genuine relationships are built through real-world interactions. Social media only offers a shallow connection with other people, creating loneliness in the real world.