Can Cyber‑Hugs Replace Real‑World Warmth? A Study on the Psychological Mechanism of Virtual Social Compensation Among Generation Z College Students

Abstract

Generation Z college students are experiencing a profound social paradox: virtual connections are unprecedentedly extensive, yet real‑world loneliness keeps spreading. Based on Compensation Theory, Social Comparison Theory and Parasocial Interaction Theory, this study systematically analyzes the occurrence mechanism and psychological path of virtual social compensation. The study finds that frustrated real‑world social demands constitute the "push force" for compensation; the anonymity, instant feedback and spatial design of virtual environments constitute the "pull force" for compensation; and individual differences such as field cognitive‑style determine how easily compensation can be activated. The compensation effect presents three differentiated paths: substitutive satisfaction provides short‑term emotional buffering; the paradox of "more compensation brings greater loneliness" within a vicious circle is jointly driven by upward social comparison and the degradation of real‑world social skills; empowerment spillover needs to be understood under the framework of spectrum dynamic demands — compensation swings among three states of "sanctuary‑sandbox‑bridge", and positive transfer can only be realized under the "bridge" state. The demarcation of boundaries depends on the level of self‑differentiation, the depth of compensation content and real‑world ecological support. This paper holds that the governance approach for virtual social compensation lies not in cutting off connections, but in guiding compensation to upgrade from "emotional consumption" to "social practice".