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Brooks claims each extra hour on social media correlates with greater loneliness

Big Think · Depression has tripled in the last 15 years. Arthur Brooks says he knows the real cause · August 7, 2026
Brooks claims each extra hour on social media correlates with greater loneliness
Big Think
Big Think
Depression has tripled in the last 15 years. Arthur Brooks says he knows the real cause
"It's no surprise to me as a social scientist that every additional hour per day that you spend on social media, the lonier you get."
Brooks argues that platforms built as "complicated" technological systems cannot solve "complex" human needs such as loneliness, and says increased time on social media is associated with greater loneliness. He presents this as a consistent finding from social science rather than an isolated effect.
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Big Think
Big Think

Depression has tripled in the last 15 years. Arthur Brooks says he knows the real cause

August 7, 2026 · 1h 53m · 3 Egleze moments
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