Dear Participant,
You are invited to participate in a research study investigating the relationship between social media use and feelings of loneliness among college students. This survey aims to understand how social media habits may influence emotional well-being. Your responses will remain anonymous and will be used solely for academic purposes. Participation is voluntary, and you may withdraw at any time. Thank you for taking the time to complete this survey. Your insights are invaluable.
Sincerely,
Section 1: Demographic Information
1. What is your age? 18–20 years 21–23 years 24–26 years 27+ years
2. What is your gender identity? Female Male Non-binary/Third Gender Prefer not to say
3. What is your current academic year? Freshman Sophomore Junior Senior Graduate student
4. What is your primary field of study? STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) Social Sciences/Humanities Business/Finance Arts/Design Other:
Section 2: Social Media Use
5. On average, how many hours per day do you spend on social media platforms? Less than 1 hour 1–2 hours 3–4 hours 5+ hours
6. Which social media platforms do you use most frequently? (Select all that apply) WeChat TikTok Weibo REDnote QQ Other:
7. What is your primary reason for using social media? Staying connected with friends/family Entertainment/relaxation Academic/professional networking Seeking validation (e.g., likes, comments) Escaping loneliness or boredom Other:
8. How often do you compare your life to others’ posts on social media? Never Rarely Sometimes Often Always
Section 3: Loneliness and Emotional Well-being 9. How frequently do you experience feelings of loneliness? Never Rarely Sometimes Often Always
10. To what extent do you agree with the following statement: "Social media helps me feel less lonely." Strongly disagree Disagree Neutral Agree Strongly agree
11. After using social media, how do you typically feel? More connected to others More isolated or lonely No significant change Depends on the platform/content
12. Have you ever reduced social media use to improve your mental health? Yes No Considering it
Section 4: Behavioral and Psychological Impact 13. How often do you prioritize online interactions over face-to-face social activities? Never Rarely Sometimes Often Always
14. What factors do you think contribute to feelings of loneliness? Lack of real-life friends Excessive social media use Academic stress Personal issues/problems Social anxiety Other:
15. Do you believe excessive social media use affects your academic performance? Yes, negatively Yes, positively No noticeable effect
16. Please share any additional thoughts on how social media influences your sense of connection or loneliness:
Thank you for your participation!