A major US study has found that more than half of university students experience loneliness, with heavier social media use linked to significantly higher odds of feeling isolated.
The peer reviewed research, published in the Journal of American College Health, analysed responses from 64,988 students aged 18–24 across more than 120 universities. It found that 54% of participants reported feeling lonely.
Loneliness was measured through questions about how often students felt left out, lacked companionship, or felt isolated.
The analysis identified differences among groups. Female students and Black students were especially likely to report loneliness. Students enrolled in hybrid courses reported lower levels of loneliness than those in fully face to face programmes, possibly because they maintained connections with friends from home.
Members of fraternities and sororities were among the least likely to feel lonely, likely due to increased opportunities for social gatherings and events. In contrast, students living at home reported higher levels of loneliness than those living on campus.
Students reported how many hours they spent on social media during a typical week. Around 13% were classified as excessive users, defined as spending at least 16 hours per week on social media.
The study found a clear association between time spent online and the likelihood of loneliness.
Compared with non users, students who spent 16–20 hours per week on social media were 19% more likely to report loneliness. The likelihood increased with heavier use. Those spending 21–25 hours per week faced a 23% higher risk, while students using social media for 26–30 hours saw a 34% increase. The heaviest users, defined as those spending 30 hours or more per week on social media, were 38% more likely to feel lonely.
Lead researcher Dr Madelyn Hill, now an assistant professor at Ohio University, conducted the study during her doctoral work at the University of Cincinnati’s School of Human Services, completed in spring 2025.
Dr Hill said loneliness in young adulthood has serious consequences.
“We know that people who are lonely are more likely to become depressed. We also know that those who are lonely are more likely to die early. Young adulthood is a time of many changes, from leaving home for the first time, to starting college and forming new friendships, and it is vital that colleges and universities do all they can to help their students forge connections with others.”
Senior author Dr Ashley Merianos of the University of Cincinnati said the findings highlight a broader public health concern.
“These results underscore how widespread loneliness is among college students and highlight that excessive social media use may be replacing the meaningful interactions that protect their mental health. A key public health strategy to combat this loneliness epidemic is to strengthen social connections and help students build supportive relationships with their peers offline.”
The researchers cautioned that the study does not prove that social media use causes loneliness. Excessive use may reduce time spent in face to face interaction, but students who already feel lonely may also turn to online platforms for support. Some participants may also have under reported their usage time.
Previous research has identified Instagram, Facebook and Snapchat as popular platforms among young adults, and excessive use has been linked to reduced time for in person interaction. However, earlier studies examining the direct relationship between social media and loneliness have produced mixed results, prompting this large scale analysis.
Dr Hill recommended that universities take practical steps.
“Academic institutions should educate college students about the potential negative effects of excessive social media use, including loneliness. Helping students understand how excessive social media use can affect their well-being may lead to some of them assessing how much time they spend on it. They may then cut back on it or even set time limits for themselves. Institutions should also work to encourage students to attend social events on campus.”
The authors argue that addressing excessive social media use and strengthening offline connections could help reduce loneliness among students.