The Impact of Social Media on Loneliness Among College Students

The Impact of Social Media Usage on Perceived Loneliness & Social Connectedness Among College Students Research Proposal Lauren Rush Grand Canyon University; College of Humanities & Social Sciences COM-355: Communication Research Methods Professor Greg Gorham December 17, 2023

Introduction In recent years, there has been an increase of interest on the impact of social media on social connection, communication patterns, and feelings of loneliness, particularly among college students. The following research proposal investigates the impact of social media usage on college students and the consequences for connections and communication. The research also investigates if social media causes loneliness in young adults aged 18 to 25. The goal of this study is to provide a comprehensive analysis of significant findings gathered from scholarly journal publications that show the implications of social media use in the context of college life. The significance of this study can be seen by the fast changing context of communication among young adults, notably college students, as influenced by the growth and integration of several social media platforms into modern communication. This distinction can be observed in both verbal and nonverbal communication in social settings vs online interactions. The rise of digital communication raises concerns about its impact on mental health and social connections for a variety of reasons. Nonverbal cues (such as eye contact and facial expressions) are lacking, attention spans are shortening, and interpersonal communication skills are deteriorating. This study seeks to analyze and combine results on the various effects of social media use on college students, adding to a more nuanced understanding of this complex and significant societal topic. By examining significant findings from scholarly journal publications, this study attempts to focus on the implications and challenges posed by the integration of social media into the lives of college students, fostering a deeper understanding of the broader impact on their social and communicative experiences. Literature Review Purpose

The purpose of this research is to analyze and evaluate the impact of social media usage on college students' perceived levels of loneliness and social connection. By analyzing the patterns and dynamics of social media engagement, this study aims to provide substantial insights into how social media platforms influence students' overall social well-being during their academic years. Using a combination of quantitative and qualitative methods, the study aims to identify potential correlations, uncover contributing factors, and provide an in-depth understanding of the complex relationship between social media usage, loneliness, and social connectedness in the context of college life. The ultimate goal is to provide evidence-based suggestions for academic and practical interventions aimed at improving college students' healthy social experiences in the digital era. Definitions A few basic definitions are included in the explanation of this research topic: social media, loneliness, and the age range for the term "college students." - Social Media: forms of electronic communication through which users create online communities to share information, ideas, personal messages, and other content (Merriam-Webster; social media ) - Lonely: 1a. Being without company 1b. Cut off from others 2a. Not frequented by human beings (Merriam-Webster; lonely ) - When the term college students is used in this research paper, it refers to the age range of those, both male and female, between the ages of eighteen and twenty five Hypothesis

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Increased social media usage among college students, according to the hypothesis, is likely to be connected with an increase in in-person loneliness and a diminished ability to communicate with others professionally. Individuals who use social media extensively may experience greater feelings of loneliness when engaged in face-to-face interactions since it has become a core component of the communication environment. This might be attributed to a conflict between the online persona formed through social media and the in-person relationships, which could contribute to a sense of isolation. Furthermore, the theory argues that the greater the difference between online and in- person identities of college students, the more noticeable the disparity becomes. Because their online identity differs substantially from their true self in face-to-face contacts, this mismatch may limit their ability to develop genuine professional ties. The primary argument is that widespread social media use among college students may unintentionally add to in-person loneliness and impede the formation of genuine professional relationships. This hypothesis aims to provide insights into the potential challenges that may occur as a result of the combination of social media, in-person loneliness, and professional interactions, contributing to a deeper comprehension of the complex dynamics of the digital age. Variables The research of three important aspects for this topic entails assessing one independent variable and two dependent variables in relation to the discourse on social media and communication. The independent variable, social media usage, will be evaluated by assessing the most frequently used social media apps, the duration of individual platform browsing, and the frequency of use. The two dependent variables, subjective loneliness and social connection, will be explored in different ways. Loneliness will be quantified solely through a self-reported survey

comparing attitudes during prolonged social media use versus occasional use. Social connection will be assessed in the same way, with an emphasis on the quantity and quality of social contacts, both online and offline. A good example of these variables is comparing someone who spends a lot of time on social media but lacks meaningful offline connections due to the superficial nature of their online persona to someone who limits their social media time and has fewer instances of loneliness or disconnection. The key issues required for a more in-depth research of this topic result in the interdependence of these variables. Methodology Using a mixed-methods strategy that integrates quantitative and qualitative research tools, researchers can gain a comprehensive understanding of the impact of social media on felt loneliness and social interaction among college students. This study's participants are a diverse collection of college students from a number of disciplines, with representation from various socioeconomic backgrounds, genders, and ethnicities. The aim for a sample size large enough to provide statistical power while keeping the richness of both qualitative and quantitative data is also a key factor to the research. Qualitative Qualitative research is created by conducting in-depth interviews or focus group discussions to study participants' subjective experiences and perceptions of social media and its impact on loneliness and social connectedness. By encouraging others to share their experiences and thoughts through open-ended questions, you can help support or refute the theory. A qualitative approach could include in-depth interviews with college students to investigate their experiences with social media, feelings of loneliness, and perceptions of social connection. The

analysis of themes and narratives can reveal sensitive insights into the personal repercussions of social media, revealing users' subjective emotions of connection and loneliness. Quantitative Surveys and questionnaires will be used to collect quantitative data on the frequency, trends, and duration of social media use. The felt social connectedness and loneliness are measured using numerical demographic questions and validated Likert scales. The use of electronic surveys improve results and achieve a high response and accessibility rate. Surveys measuring social connection and loneliness, as well as statistical tools to discover relationships, could be employed in the study. A number of variables that can be measured can influence college students' feelings of their social connection and loneliness. These include the frequency of in-person contacts, the type of social media participation, and daily screen usage. Survey Demographic Questions Are you a young adult? If so, what age? (This survey is specified to focus on young adults, ages 18 to 25) ● 18 - 19 ● 20 - 21 ● 22 - 23 ● 24 - 25 What is your gender? ● Male ● Female

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Do you have any known or diagnosed mental health conditions? ● Yes ● No ● If comfortable, please specify, e.g. anxiety, depression, OCD, etc.: What social media platforms do you use? Select all that apply.* ● Instagram ● Snapchat ● TikTok ● X (formerly Twitter) ● Facebook ● Pinterest ● YouTube ● Other: How would you describe your level of social media usage? ● Light user (rarely use social media) ● Moderate user (use social media regularly, but not excessively) ● Heavy user (frequent and extended use of social media) ● Very heavy user (constantly connected to social media) Approximately how many hours do you spend on social media per week? (To help determine your answer, you can check your average times in your phone settings under Screen Time )* ● Under 1 hour ● 1 - 2 hours

● 2 - 3 hours ● 3 - 4 hours ● 5+ hours ● If comfortable, please specify how many hours spent per week: Do you keep your accounts private or public? ● Private ● Public ● If it depends on the social media platform, which platform(s) do you keep private versus public and why: Scale Questions 1) What impact do you think social media has had on you?* ● Positive impact ● No impact ● Negative impact 2) Have you ever deleted a post because it did not reach enough likes or positive feedback?* ● Yes ● No ● If depends on the social media platform, please specify what platform(s) and any reasons as to why you deleted the post:

3) Rate your agreement with the following statement: “Excessive use of social media negatively impacts my mental health.”* ● Strongly Disagree [1] ● Disagree [2] ● Neutral [3] ● Agree [4] ● Strongly Agree [5] 4) Rate your agreement with the following statement: “Using social media makes me feel more connected with my college peers” ● Strongly Disagree [1] ● Disagree [2] ● Neutral [3] ● Agree [4] ● Strongly Agree [5] 5) How often do you engage in meaningful conversations with friends or acquaintances on social media? ● Never [1] ● Rarely [2] ● Sometimes [3] ● Often [4] ● Always [5]

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6) Please indicate how often you experience the feeling of “loneliness” when using social media. ● Never [1] ● Rarely [2] ● Sometimes [3] ● Often [4] ● Always [5] ie: “Loneliness’ is defined as: 1a. Being without company 1b. Cut off from others 2a. Not frequented by human beings (Merriam-Webster; lonely ) 7) Rate your agreement with the following statement: “I often feel lonely when I see my college friends’ social media posts” ● Strongly Disagree [1] ● Disagree [2] ● Neutral [3] ● Agree [4] ● Strongly Agree [5] 8) Rate your agreement with the following statement: “I find it challenging to balance my social media usage with in-person social interactions in college.” ● Strongly Disagree [1] ● Disagree [2] ● Neutral [3] ● Agree [4] ● Strongly Agree [5]

9) How frequently do you find yourself comparing your own life achievements to those of others on social media platforms? ● Never [1] ● Rarely [2] ● Sometimes [3] ● Often [4] ● Always [5] 10) In your opinion, does engaging in positive and supportive online communities or groups on social media have a positive impact on your mental well-being? ● Strongly Disagree [1] ● Disagree [2] ● Neutral [3] ● Agree [4] ● Strongly Agree [5] 11) Rate your agreement with the following statement: “Social media usage enhances my sense of belonging with my college peers.” ● Strongly Disagree [1] ● Disagree [2] ● Neutral [3] ● Agree [4] ● Strongly Agree [5] 12) How often do you feel pressure to maintain a carefully curated image or persona on social media platforms?

● Never [1] ● Rarely [2] ● Sometimes [3] ● Often [4] ● Always [5] 13) Rate your agreement with the following statement: “I often compare my college experiences to those I see on social media.” ● Strongly Disagree [1] ● Disagree [2] ● Neutral [3] ● Agree [4] ● Strongly Agree [5] 14) Rate the quality of your face-to-face interactions with your peers. ● Very Unsatisfied [1] ● Unsatisfied [2] ● Neutral [3] ● Satisfied [4] ● Very Satisfied [5] 15) How likely are you to place a time restriction on your engagement with social media? ● Very Unlikely [1] ● Unlikely [2] ● Neutral [3] ● Likely [4]

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● Very Likely [5] 16) Do you think it is important to restrict one’s time on social media? ● Not Important [1] ● Slightly Important [2] ● Moderately Important [3] ● Important [4] ● Very important [5] Open Ended Questions How has social media use impacted your overall mental health and well-being during your time in college? Can you describe a specific instance when you felt social media had a positive influence on your mental health? Conversely, can you share a specific experience where social media use had a negative impact on your mental health, and how did you handle it?

In what ways do you think colleges and universities can support students in managing the potential negative effects of social media on mental health? Are there specific strategies or coping mechanisms you use to maintain a healthy balance between social media use and your mental health? How do you think the college community can raise awareness about the impact of social media on mental health and promote healthy online behavior? Do you have any recommendations or advice for fellow college students on how to navigate social media while maintaining good mental health? The study looks at how social media use affects college students, with a particular emphasis on young adults (18 to 25 years old) who experience social disconnection, loneliness, and poor mental health. Subjective loneliness and social connectivity are dependent variables, but social media use is an independent variable. Data is gathered on popular platforms, the frequency and length of social media interactions, the amount of time spent each week on

screens (via Screen Time), and the frequency of access. The survey investigates participants' feelings regarding frequent and prolonged usage of social media and uses Likert scale questions and open-ended prompts for self-reported feelings of loneliness. Online and offline encounters that individuals self-report are used to quantify social connectedness. Nonetheless, the study notes sampling flaws and possible social desirability, highlighting the need for careful interpretation of results on the representativeness and honesty of participants among college students. Rationale The purpose of the study on college students' social media use is to address a current issue in higher education. Given the prevalence of social media, it is vital to comprehend how it affects students' feelings of social connectivity and loneliness. The reasoning is based on students' increased reliance on virtual relationships, as well as the potential consequences for their mental health and overall well-being. Previous study has discovered a complex link between social media use and psychological consequences, but further research is required to fully understand the implications for the collegiate setting. The project intends to get a better knowledge of all of the ways in which social media influences students' social experiences and to provide useful counsel to educators, mental health specialists, and legislators by exploring this topic. The study on how college students' use of social media affects their perceptions of social connectivity and loneliness has both pros and cons. Its main advantages are its relevance to current concerns and ability to provide insights into how social interactions are changing. However, there are several downsides, such as potential biases in self-reported data and the difficulty in differentiating the impact of social media from other key variables. The strength of

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the study is its ability to lead policies and initiatives that will improve the health of both physical and online student groups. However, its limitations advise against oversimplifying the complicated relationship between social media use and societal well-being. Understanding strengths and weaknesses is critical for building complete plans to assist college students in the digital age and providing a fair assessment of findings. Conclusion In conclusion, the impact of social media usage on perceived loneliness and social connectedness among college students will be an ongoing research study due to the fact that this is a newer issue. Once a study is conducted on this topic, we will gain a better understanding that this impact has on college students and what the future ramifications can consist of as well as how it will change our ways of communicating with others, both positively and negatively.

References Merriam-Webster. (n.d.), “Definition of Social Media” Social media Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster Merriam-Webster. (n.d.), “Definition of Lonely” Lonely Definition & Meaning - Merriam- Webster Appendix ChatGPT was used to help generate a general outline format of a research proposal to help guide in the direction of what needed to be included in this assignment due to unassurance of formatting a proper research proposal (i.e. introduction, literature review, methodology, purpose, hypothesis, etc.).

COM-355_ Research Proposal

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