In the long term does SW increase feelings of loneliness or decrease?

Long term imho it increases it
Many connections here are very transient and unstable
The more sincere connections will move off the site. Some that are good connections, friendships will also spend less time here because of poor monitoring and creepy stuff

Only the most dedicated and/or addicted remain😉

I think it can be both. When you make connections it feels good and if the connections you've made here turn out to be hollow or short term and on realisation of that, it can give you a feeling of increased loneliness.

SW as a platform is as raw of a dopamine loop as the internet has to offer. Join, say, do whatever you want with zero accountability, burn who you want when you want because fuck it you don't know them IRL they obviously don't have feelings.

That said science tells us our longevity on social media is determined by the quality of the relationships we keep on it.

It’s a loop. You feel less loneliness when you see hearts and replies...and you feel more when you see how many sw coins you have yet to give out.

I think all it does is take you away from valuable real connections. I have a couple of great friends from here. But that's because we have contact outside of here. Plus they are great to talk to unlike some who respond with a one word answer or emoji....makes connecting hard. I think here increases feelings of lonliness because not everyone is truthful or willing to be real.

Well when we don't get any "hearts" on our stories💓it can be pretty lonely. Also when it's hard to find anyone to relate to here.

I don't know. It depends on whether you talk to people or not.

Makes me feel not alone.. And time seems to go by so fast when I'm on here. ┬┴┬┴┤ ͜ʖ ͡ °)

Neither. It's like being at a hotel and going down to the bar at happy hour. Sometimes it can be an uplifting experience, at other times it's like finding a room full of drunks.

That's going to depend on the individual.

Increase