How Social Media Can Reduce Actual Loneliness

The advent of Social Media has seen more people connected than ever before; this is done through the social media chats across the internet. Ironically, social psychologists contend that in this virtual connection people are very lonelier and even more isolated. The psychologists further explain people have opted to hide behind social media instead of interacting physically in real time. Some of the situations in which social media creates isolation includes: One social media networking is a distraction to real life; social media has effectively managed to shift the ability of people to focus on the immediate things happening on their surroundings as most often you will find people too immersed on their phones to know what is going around them (Boyd, 2015)

Secondly, Social Media creates isolation by providing an illusion of companionship; an illusion of emotional attachment and intimacy is created through social media through sharing of texts and pictures even though the people involved could be worlds apart (Butcher, 2015) This kind of illusion has literally substituted family and friendship. Thirdly, social media can reduce self-esteem and create negative self-image leading to isolation. This happens when others post idealized and unrealistic images of themselves, their pets or even their locations thereby portraying a fabulous and fantasy life which could be far from the truth. Upon seeing these images their friends may think they have raised the social bars thereby feeling unfit to be in their company. And, finally, social media creates isolation through reducing intimacy where people tend to give more attention to those who they are chatting with through these forums than the real people in their company.

Whereas social media has so many situations that lead to isolation among the users, it is imperative to note that when used positively it can reduce isolation and create long-lasting real relationships among the users. Some of the situations in which social media can be used to reduce isolation include; one is its ability to connect people by providing a social forum where peers can find groups of similar interests learn and share their experiences. By helping to keep in touch with old friends such as former classmates and even extended family members, the social media creates a situation that reduces isolation but this one would mean keeping a small group of friends and being focused not to be swayed by the drama therein.

Social media also creates platforms in which people are to share their problems with other users and get help on matters which would have otherwise affected them emotionally and psychologically thereby isolating them from the society. Through sharing of experiences, people get the real to overcome their problems in the knowledge that there are also other people who have gone through the same issues and emerged victorious. Finally, social media can reduce actual loneliness by creating a platform for those who are lonely to interact with the world. There are lots of interesting stories that people share in the form of writing or videos that can keep people smiling and for a moment forget about their tribulations and loneliness. Positive use of social media can reduce isolation.(Srauy 2015)