In the midst of an \u201cepidemic of loneliness,\u201d some Pitt students are struggling to find social connection in college.<\/p>\n
Pitt students looking for friends can be seen reaching out through various anonymous social media sites, such as YikYak<\/a> and Reddit<\/a>, in search of relationships that are difficult to find elsewhere. But the lack of connection available to many students in college might be a cultural problem, rather than a personal one.<\/p>\n On Pitt social media sites, users can be seen turning toward anonymous sources for help. One user on Reddit created a post titled \u201cfeeling kinda lost socially as a freshman<\/a>\u201d and asked commenters for advice on how to find friends. On another Pitt site, YikYak, a user posted expressing their loneliness and asking for \u201cone friend.\u201d The user received 20 replies in the comments from other users with similar experiences.<\/p>\n Kevin Binning, associate professor of psychology, said social psychology shows that humans have a deep need for belonging and connection with other people.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cMuch of what we do in life \u2014 the careers we pursue, the people we associate with, the hobbies we enjoy, the products we buy, the clothing we wear and so on, are partly driven by this fundamental need,\u201d Binning said.<\/p>\n When this need is not fulfilled, loneliness may arise, but it doesn\u2019t come from the same place for everyone, according to Binning.<\/p>\n \u201c[Loneliness] doesn\u2019t necessarily mean that a person is physically isolated and devoid of social interaction, as problematic as that is,\u201d Binning said. \u201cIt can also mean that whatever social interactions people are having are not fulfilling their needs \u2014 they aren\u2019t perceiving that the people in their lives actually care about them.\u201d<\/p>\n On Pitt social media pages, students who don\u2019t feel these needs are met are reaching out. Malia Lyman, a sophomore neuroscience major, turned to Yik Yak after drifting from friends she made during her first year at Pitt. Lyman said she went online as a low stakes way to talk about the situation.<\/p>\n \u201cAt least there, it\u2019s anonymous, and it\u2019s really fun to just post random things,\u201d Lyman said. \u201cYou don\u2019t think about it later. Usually, no one responds to anything you post.\u201d<\/p>\n Binning said feelings of loneliness are not uncommon in college, as it is a transitional period. However, increasing screen time averages, the COVID-19 pandemic and a cultural shift<\/a> away from opportunities for social connection may have exacerbated these struggles, according to Binning.<\/p>\n