A large longitudinal study suggests that spending more time on social media use can go along with growing loneliness over the years. The research, led by James A. Roberts and colleagues and published in Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, followed adults in the Netherlands for nine years and found a clear pattern: both scrolling and posting were linked with higher loneliness later on. You can read the study.
That matters because social apps are a daily habit for many people. When loneliness rises, it can affect motivation, sleep and how connected life feels. Research like this helps explain why someone can feel socially “busy” online, while still feeling alone at the end of the day.
Why Researchers Looked at Social Media and Loneliness
Loneliness has become a bigger public concern in many countries. Public health leaders and community groups often describe social connection as part of basic well-being. At the same time, people spend more of their social time in digital spaces.
Many apps promise connection. They offer messaging, group chats, comments and a steady stream of updates. Yet people still report feeling isolated. That gap between constant online contact and real feelings of closeness has pushed researchers to look for longer-term patterns.
One reason this topic stays complicated is that “social media use” covers many behaviors. Some people mostly watch. Others share photos, comment and message friends. Researchers have wondered whether these different styles of use relate to loneliness in different ways.
Roberts and his colleagues focused on a simple question with big stakes: do different kinds of social media behavior predict changes in loneliness across time? A multi-year design can help because it looks at year-to-year changes, rather than a single snapshot.
How the 9-Year Netherlands Panel Study Was Run
The researchers used data from the Netherlands LISS panel, a long-running survey that follows adults over time. For this study, they analyzed nine years of data from 2014 through 2022. The sample included 6,965 adults.
Each year, participants answered questions about their social media habits and their loneliness. That repeated, annual structure matters. It lets researchers test whether earlier app use predicts later loneliness, while also checking whether earlier loneliness predicts later app use.
To describe social media habits, the study separated two broad styles. One was passive browsing, such as reading posts and looking at photos without interacting much. The other was active posting, which included sharing content and engaging through likes or comments.
Loneliness was measured with a well-known questionnaire that asks about feelings like emptiness and social connection. Participants rated statements and the answers were combined into a loneliness score. Like many large surveys, this work relied on self-reported screen time and self-reported feelings, which brings both strengths and limits.
Because this was an observational study, the researchers used statistical models designed for repeated measures. These models can estimate whether differences at one point in time predict changes later. They also help separate stable differences between people from shifts within the same person over the years.
Passive Browsing Predicted Higher Loneliness Over Time
Scrolling sounds harmless and it often feels relaxing. Yet the study found that people who spent more time in passive browsing tended to show bigger increases in loneliness over time.
One possible reason is that passive viewing can fuel social comparison. A feed often shows highlights, celebrations and polished moments. When someone watches those moments alone, it may leave them feeling left out or behind.
Another possibility involves time. Minutes add up fast, especially at night or during small breaks in the day. Over years, more scrolling may quietly replace moments that could have turned into a call, a walk with a neighbor, or a shared meal.
Across nine years of data, greater passive use of social media went along with a later rise in loneliness.
It is also possible that people scroll more during stressful periods. When someone feels tired or disconnected, scrolling can feel like a low-effort way to stay close to others. The study’s design helps track direction over time, though it still cannot confirm a single cause for every person.
Active Posting and Commenting Also Predicted Higher Loneliness
Many people assume that posting, commenting and reacting should help. These behaviors look social on the surface. In this study, more active posting also predicted higher loneliness later on.
That pattern may surprise readers, yet it makes sense when you think about what online interaction can feel like. A post can get quick feedback, but it may not provide the warmth of a long conversation. Some interactions are brief and they end quickly.
There is also the issue of control. When you post something personal, you cannot fully control how people respond. A lack of comments, slow replies, or a negative reaction can feel like rejection. Even “good” responses can create pressure to keep up the same image.
At times, active use can become performance. People can start posting to maintain attention, stay visible, or prove they are doing well. That effort can be draining, especially when it happens while someone already feels disconnected in real life.
The study’s results suggest that online activity alone may not deliver the deeper sense of belonging many people want. In-person moments often include eye contact, shared time and small signs of care. Those details can be harder to recreate through a screen, even with lots of comments and likes.
Loneliness Predicted More Social Media Use Later
The study also found evidence of a two-way pattern. Higher loneliness predicted later increases in social media use. Researchers sometimes describe this kind of pattern as a feedback loop.
When people feel lonely, they often look for connection quickly. Social apps offer fast access to people, stories and groups. They can provide distraction too, which may feel helpful in the moment.
Over time, though, this can become a cycle. Loneliness can lead to more time online. More time online, in turn, can go along with later increases in loneliness. The results in this study fit that kind of cycle across the nine-year window.
Of course, the cycle will not look the same for everyone. Some people use social media to strengthen real friendships and plan meetups. Others use it in more solitary ways. The main point is that the average pattern in this large sample linked more use with rising loneliness over time.
For readers, the practical takeaway is simple and gentle. Pay attention to how you feel after different kinds of online time. Some sessions leave you connected. Some leave you restless. Noticing the difference can help you make choices that fit your life.
Key Limits and What Future Research Could Test Next
Even strong long-term studies have limits. This one relied on self-report, so estimates of time spent scrolling or posting may be off. People often underestimate or overestimate their time online, especially when usage happens in many short bursts.
Another issue is that the study tracked broad categories of use, rather than specific platforms or specific content types. A supportive group chat may feel very different from watching strangers’ highlight reels. Future research could separate these experiences in more detail.
The research also focused on adults in the Netherlands. Cultural norms, work patterns and family life can shape both online habits and loneliness. The general pattern may show up in other countries too, yet the size of the effect could differ across age groups and settings.
Researchers could also add objective measures, such as phone-based logs of time spent in apps. They could pair that with short daily check-ins about mood and connection. That kind of design can help connect specific behaviors to specific feelings.
Finally, it would help to test what types of online activity support real connection. One person might benefit from messaging close friends. Another might do better when social media leads to face-to-face interaction, like joining a club or meeting someone for coffee. Studies that track both digital behavior and real-world social time could clarify what helps people feel genuinely supported.