The point we’re at in history is, objectively, one where humans are the most connected we’ve ever been. With the advent of the internet and social media, communication happens at speeds that were once unimaginable, and people have increased opportunities to interact with one another. And yet, we seem to be lonelier than ever.
According to a Cigna study, 61% of adults report feeling lonely sometimes or always, with that number going up to 73% for Gen Z adults. On their own, these statistics are explainable and fairly unconcerning, as loneliness is an unavoidable part of life for the vast majority of people. It’s only natural that people would experience it at least occasionally. However, Americans are also the least likely to feel a sense of belonging and community, with only 54% reporting a connection to others around them, compared to the median of 78% reported in other countries. Additionally, 12% of Americans claim they have no close friends at all.
Together, these statistics point to a societal and cultural problem, and it’s one that can be seen beyond the numbers as well. Many have begun to notice that people are spending less time in public “third spaces” outside their homes and workplaces, and participation in organized, in-person activities seems to be far less frequent than they once remembered it being. People just aren’t as connected as they used to be, and their collective sense of community isn’t as strong as a result. Quite a lot of this can be attributed to the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, as society grew accustomed to fewer opportunities for face-to-face interaction, spending less time outside their homes, and social division saw an overall increase due to the polarizing nature of the global crises. While the pandemic’s role in the problem isn’t insignificant, a growing sense of isolation and disconnection has been an issue since long before 2019. Technology has undoubtedly been a primary cause. With social media and virtual interaction being easily accessible, real-world interaction has declined, especially for Gen Z, causing feelings of loneliness and isolation to become more commonplace.
However, the isolation so many suffer from hasn’t just bred loneliness, it has created a rise in individualism and a societal lack of empathy. Just around one month ago, topical social media discourse on apps like TikTok and X (formerly known as Twitter) was about whether or not friends should drive each other to the airport. Far too many people, especially those in their teens and early 20s, insisted that an obligation to help one another and offer a ride shouldn’t be a necessary part of friendships. Even though this may seem like an inconsequential example, it demonstrates how people’s mindsets around connection and community have changed. What is friendship for, if not being there for each other and wanting to help each other out? On top of that, people are far harsher to one another than they used to be. From comment sections on social media to real-world news and real-life interactions, empathy is declining, and kindness towards one another has become a limited resource.
At this point, there seems to be one way to reverse this rapid societal change, and it’s for everyone, especially Gen Z, to become more intentional with their empathy and friendships. Society has to focus more of its energy on building community and connection, because, now more than ever, it’s a necessity. It needs to become normal for us to rely on each other again, to be the community that we all desperately want, so that we aren’t forced to look into our phones to find it. People have to be willing to help each other out and be there for the people in their lives, even when it doesn’t directly benefit them. They have to treat others with empathy and respect. Community is the antidote to division, hatred, harshness, and fear. Without it, the worst aspects of human nature have already risen to the surface.
