Which of the following is identified as a cause of social isolation related to heavy use of social media?

• A. Minimal use.
• B. Heavy usage despite time spent online.
• C. Regular face-to-face interactions.
• D. Lack of internet access.

Answer: (B)

The idea being tested is how heavy social media use can contribute to social isolation even when someone spends a lot of time online. This option captures the paradox: you’re online a great deal, yet you still feel isolated because the online activity may crowd out real-world interactions or substitute shallow online connections for deeper, offline relationships. When time spent online isn’t translating into meaningful social bonding, offline social needs go unmet, which fosters a sense of isolation.

Why this fits best: it directly describes heavy usage that coexists with or leads to lack of real-life connection, the situation most closely linked to social isolation driven by excessive use of social media. In contrast, minimal use wouldn’t typically cause heavy-use–related isolation; regular face-to-face interactions lessen isolation rather than cause it; and lack of internet access describes a barrier to online use rather than a consequence of heavy use.