Does Facebook Make People Feel Lonely?

Two recent studies involving Facebook and feelings of loneliness appear to have come to different conclusions, further suggesting that Facebook can either increase or decrease a sense of belonging depending on an individual’s predispositions.

This first study, conducted by Charles Sturt University in Australia, argued that Facebook users who felt lonely were more likely to post personal information such as relationship status and hobbies, than users who felt connected.

The second, from The University of Queensland’s School of Psychology, looked at how Facebook communication impacts feelings of social belonging.