Psychologists: the Abuse of social media leads to social isolation
Fans of spending time in social networks, sometimes in their favor claim that it helps them to communicate. However, new research has shown that “too much Facebook” only leads to social isolation.
Social isolation, the researchers imply the absence of a sense of belonging, relationships and true interaction with other people. Scientists claim that the presence of social exclusion is closely linked to the risk of illness and death.
“Currently, mental health problems and social isolation similar to the epidemic among young people,” said study author Dr. Brian Primack, Director of the University’s Centre for research in the field of media, technology and healthcare in Pittsburgh.
Surfing in social networks temporarily relieves symptoms of social isolation, the researchers note. The abuse of social networks has a negative effect, reducing the number of “live” interaction. Add to this the already known ability of social networks to create a false impression of success and a happy life, reminds Live Science.
To determine the relationship between social networks and social isolation, the researchers surveyed more than 1,700 Americans between the ages of 19 to 32 years. Volunteers were asked to rate how often they use popular platforms, including Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
On average, people visited the social network 30 times a week, 27% of respondents, often passing the time in social networks (about 58 times a week) reported that they feel a high level of “voluntary” isolation from society.
Yet psychologists don’t know what came first, the chicken or the egg. That is, the social media influence state of mind or feeling of social isolation provokes interest in social networks.
It is possible that once young people feel divorced from real life, and then plunged into the social network. The widespread use of Facebook and Twitter only exacerbates the situation.