An Investigation of the Effects of Social Media Browsing on Leisure Solitude in Emerging Adults

This exploratory study investigated the effect of social media use on emerging adults’ experiences with leisure solitude – periods of free time spent alone. First, one 14-day diary study (n = 109) was conducted to explore the effects of leisure solitude on daily affects and self-experiences and whether social media added any additional benefits or detriments. Then, two experimental studies (Study 2: n = 146; Study 3: n = 249) were conducted to home in on the effects of social media on lab-facilitated leisure solitude. Results across 3 studies revealed little evidence that social media interfered with the regulatory benefits of leisure solitude. Specifically, spending time in leisure solitude lowered arousal levels and increased calmness and relaxation at the end of the day and after just 15 minutes of it in the lab, and this effect was found despite whether participants engaged in social media or not. One interesting finding emerged: browsing on social media created feelings of inauthenticity in solitude. This finding was discussed in connection with the theory of emerging adulthood, which shed light on how emerging adults make sense of the uncertainty experienced in online space.