Social media use and loneliness among adolescents: the moderating role of media literacy

Purpose This study investigates the relationship between social media use and loneliness among adolescents and the moderating role of media literacy in this relationship. Design/methodology/approach This study utilizes secondary cross-sectional data from the Korea Media Panel Survey conducted in 2021 by the Korea Information Society Development Institute. The sample comprised 480 Korean adolescents aged 13–18 years who had experience using social media. Findings The results showed that social media use was positively associated with adolescents’ loneliness and that media literacy moderated this relationship. Adolescents with low media literacy felt lonelier with increased social media use, while those with high media literacy felt less lonely as social media use increased. For those with average media literacy, social media use had no effect on loneliness. Originality/value The findings suggest that media literacy can serve as a protective factor against the negative effects of social media use, in particular, adolescent loneliness. This study underscores the importance of media literacy education and interventions by parents, educators and policymakers for adolescents.