Loneliness is on the rise in the U.S., with a third of Americans reporting they’ve experienced “serious loneliness” in recent years, according to a news release from the University of Arkansas. Lonely people are twice as likely to become depressed, and loneliness is a key risk factor for self-harm and suicide. New research, however, suggests social networked friendships contribute to self-esteem, and gains in self-esteem can lead to reductions in loneliness.
The news release stated many suspect the increase in loneliness is due to the collapse of interpersonal social contact and community engagement, as more and more of our time is spent online rather than connecting in person. Young Americans between the ages of 18-29 now spend more than five hours a day social networking, and, according to the National Institutes of Health, heavy social media use has been linked to depression.
