Social Media Use, Loneliness, and Academic Achievement: A Correlational Study With Urban High School Students

• In Event: Roundtable Session 51
  In Roundtable Session: Social Networking and Online Learning Space in Instructional Technology

Abstract

This study explored the association between social media use, loneliness, and academic achievement in high school students. This study also sought to identify the percentage of variance in loneliness accounted for by social media use and GPA. Participants were 345 urban high school students from Michigan. A series of t-tests, ANOVAs, and correlational analyses were performed. Gender differences were found for loneliness and the frequency of social media use. Race and grade level differences were found for GPA. Data yielded a weak negative correlation between loneliness and GPA. GPA accounts for about 2% of the variance in loneliness. Practical implications and recommendations for future research are discussed.

Authors

• Nancy Simmons Golz, Merced College

• Roque do Carmo Amorim Neto, Davenport University

• Meaghan Polega, Grand Rapids Public Schools