Why GEN Z are the Loneliest Generation

Gen Z and young adults consistently self-report as the most lonely age group, even more so than the elderly.

Why is this the case?

We explore the root causes behind this loneliness epidemic amongst today's youth, delving into the impact of social media addiction, urban density, modern work culture, and the dark side of globalisation and neoliberalism.

From the false promise of endless digital connection, to the isolating effects of urban living, we investigate why young people today, despite being the most connected generation ever, also feel the most isolated.

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References:

1) The BBC Loneliness Experiment in collaboration with The Wellcome Collection,The University of Manchester, Brunel University London, and Exeter University (2018)

2) 'Loneliness in America - How the Pandemic Has Deepened an Epidemic of Loneliness and What We Can Do About It' by Richard Weissbourd, Milena Batanova, Virginia Lovison, and Eric Torres (2021)

3) 'The rural happiness paradox in developed countries' by Jens F L Sørensen   (2021)

4) 'Calculating a national Anomie Density Ratio: Measuring the patterns of loneliness and social isolation across the UK’s residential density gradient using results from the UK Biobank study' by Ka Yan Lai, Chinmoy Sarkar, Sarika Kumari, Michael Y. Ni, John Gallacher, and Chris Webster (2021)

5) 'Suicide: A Study in Sociology' by Émile Durkheim (1897)

6) '1.5 million people in Japan living as social recluses, many as a result of the pandemic' article by The Japan Times (2023)

Further Reading:

'Loneliness – Human Nature and the Need for Social Connection' by John T. Cacioppo and William Patrick (2009)

'The Lonely Century: A Call to Reconnect' by Noreena Hertz (2020)

'The Lonely City: Adventures in the Art of Being Alone' by Olivia Laing (2017)

'Friends: Understanding the Power of our Most Important Relationships' by Robin Dunbar (2021)

'Lost Connections: Uncovering the Real Causes of Depression – and the Unexpected Solutions' by Johann Hari (2018)

'Selfie: How the West Became Self-Obsessed' by Will Storr (2017)