A SOCIAL SKILL ACCOUNT OF SOCIAL MEDIA USE AND LONELINESS

Abstract

As the use of social networking sites is extremely prevalent among undergraduates in Singapore, this study explored the influence of the use of specific social media platforms on users’ interpersonal competence and psychological well-being. Guided by Riggio’s conceptual framework of social skills, this study examined the impact of Facebook, Twitter and Instagram on users’ social skills and the association among social skills, perceived social self-efficacy levels, and loneliness. This study also investigates the effect of the use of various features of social networking sites on users’ social skills A quantitative survey-based approach was employed and undergraduates from various universities in Singapore (N = 220) completed the online survey. Results showed that the use of Facebook and Instagram is associated with an increase in users’ social skills level while Twitter usage is correlated with a decrease in social skills. In addition, the level of social skills was revealed to mitigate loneliness, with perceived social self-efficacy mediating this relationship. The findings of this study provide theoretical insights into the mechanisms underlying the psychosocial impacts of social networking sites use on users’ social skills and loneliness levels among undergraduates. Finally, this study offers recommendations for the improvement of existing social skills interventions.