The loneliness epidemic · by generation
The most connected generation is the loneliest.
Percentage of Americans reporting frequent loneliness, by generation. The most digitally-native cohorts are the most isolated. The phones were supposed to fix this.
Loneliness tracks digital nativity, not age. Gen Z grew up with smartphones and are the loneliest (67%). Boomers grew up without them and are the least lonely (44%). The hypothesis that phones cause connection is empirically false. The industries that offer real-world gathering — gyms, clubs, community — are what the data says people are missing.
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