Is there a connection between heavy use of social media by older adults and feelings of loneliness?
That may be the case, according to a study from the Seoul National University College of Medicine.
Researchers looked at data from more than 34,000 Seoul residents, aged 20 and above, and split them into groups based on age.
The Korea Herald reported they found what they called a statistically significant correlation between active use of social media and the tendency to feel lonely in those 60 and above.
Feelings of loneliness were not statistically significant in other age groups.
In fact, among those aged 20 to 59, overall social media use was associated with lower odds of loneliness.
And even among older adults, it does not mean that the use of social media caused those feelings.
It’s not clear whether the use of social media itself deepens the feelings of loneliness among older people, or if the loneliness itself pushes them to use social media more.
However, the researchers said “older adults may be more vulnerable to adverse aspects” of social media use, and may require more targeted guidance on its “healthy use.”
The study was published in the Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, put out by the Korean Society for Preventive Medicine.
