Does Facebook make people feel isolated or do lonely users turn to the social network more often as compared to their extroverted peers? The matter has been up for debate for years, with two out of three studies we’ve reported recently coming to the latter conclusion.
Researchers from the University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, are claiming that amount of Facebook usage by a person and loneliness are tied to each other. It’s important to understand such relationships because it has yet to be determined whether surfing the Internet is psychologically beneficial or detrimental.
There are conflicting opinions (based on various studies) on how Facebook can affect shy people or introverts. Some research papers say that those who are socially awkward have the opportunity to connect with others in a more comfortable manner when they’re not forced to interact face-to-face.
Related post: Facebook addicts most likely to end up feeling lonely and depressed
On the other hand, spending too much time in the virtual world could actually prevent users from making ‘real connections.’ Yes, we’re thinking the same thing you’re thinking. Who says it’s not real just because it’s happening on Facebook, right? Technology has turned everything upside down.
Hayeon Song, who happens to be an assistant professor of communications at UWM, says that her latest study supports and tweaks the ‘Internet Paradox’ presented by Carnegie Mellon University researchers. As we’ve explained above, it has to do with the question of whether the internet helps or harms lonely people.
Also see: Introverts tend to spend more time on Facebook, are shy about sharing
Song’s team came to the conclusion that as users’ feelings of loneliness mount, the time they spend on Facebook also increases. What’s more, the meta-analysis results additionally pointed to Facebook being unable to help in reducing loneliness even if individuals experience more connectedness when signed in.
So even though lonely users are likely to spend a lot of time on Facebook, they may not actually be reaping any real benefits out of it.