Is Gen Z the Loneliest Generation?

Humans are social creatures, and we crave connection and belonging. Feeling lonely and isolated has a seriously negative impact on our mental health, and addressing these issues is imperative, especially considering that loneliness seems to be growing among young people. 

Is Gen Z the loneliest generation? Many surveys and research studies are asking this question nowadays. Each generation has its own specificities, and it’s important to understand the factors contributing to their mental health problems in order to deal with them properly.

We Level Up Treatment Centers recognize individual differences and craft treatments having them in mind. Understanding generational differences is equally important, as it provides us with input on how to address factors that might not be present in other generations. Asking ourselves, “Why is Gen Z the loneliest generation?” helps us provide them with the exact support they need. 

Get to Know Gen Z

For everyone unsure who really belongs to this group – people born after Millennials (Generation Y), roughly between 1997 and 2012, are called Generation Z. This generation is the first one to grow up with the internet, social media, and smartphones from a young age, which makes them highly tech-savvy and digitally connected. They usually value diversity, social justice, and environmental sustainability and are often characterized by their entrepreneurial spirit and preference for personalized experiences.

Since the oldest members of Gen Z are in their mid-20s, entering the workforce and adulthood, the questions of their interconnections and loneliness arise. Are the links in the virtual world enough? Can they replace physical and personal touch? Does the commitment to social media and all devices contribute to closeness or isolation?

Is Gen Z the Loneliest Generation in the Digital Age?

Every generation faced specific changes and challenges of their time. Some adapted better, while others noticed more negative than positive changes. Newer generations are arguably more introspective and try to understand things happening to them rather than just resolving them. This could explain why millennials and Gen Z think about and work on their mental health more.

Psychologists point out that these two generations might be the loneliest generations so far, but newer surveys highlight that loneliness is on the rise and Gen Z is the loneliest generation, despite the digital bonds. So much so that they show more signs of loneliness than older people, whom we could assume have fewer social connections due to natural life changes. 

Understanding how this came to be and why is Gen Z the loneliest generation can potentially prevent mental health deterioration or at least help craft better programs and actions to help young people feel less lonely.

Factors Contributing to Gen Z’s Loneliness

Loneliness is a complex feeling, and as such, it is impacted by many factors. When it comes to Gen Z loneliest generation topic, we can discuss the following factors.

Social media usage

You could say it’s ironic that Gen Z is the loneliest generation, knowing they grew up heavily connected online. Unlike previous generations that had to adapt to social media (and older generations even refusing to do so), Gen Z was growing and forming their identity alongside social media development. 

Social media usage is known to contribute to a person’s sense of self negatively. Constant comparison can lead to lower self-esteem and a fear of missing out. Anonymity can result in inappropriate behavior and bullying. All of this is emphasized for Generation Z because they are immersed in social media more than any previous generation. 

There are theories that social media notifications can cause a dopamine rush, making us addicted to social media interaction. However, that media interaction is not meaningful and does not give us the desired response. The lack of meaning can turn into a sense of isolation, leading to feeling lonely. Furthermore, those who are not able to connect offline and are looking for online support often do not receive it, ending up feeling even lonelier.

Pandemic impact

The COVID-19 crisis had a negative impact on mental health for the majority of people, but Gen Z might have suffered more due to their critical age for social interaction. The oldest members of the Gen Z cohort were still high schoolers, and the youngest were children, and isolation for them meant missing out on important events, milestones, and experiences. Whether they wanted it or not, their social interactions moved to the online sphere. 

The lack of face-to-face interaction for many Gen Z individuals means they haven’t developed connections with their peers, and much of their interaction was shallow and online. Even after the pandemic passed, the old habits remained, with many choosing to scroll through media instead of going out and taking action. 

Job market uncertainty

Economic uncertainty is nothing new, and many generations have had to face it. However, the rules of the job market have significantly changed, and the challenges are higher. Due to the pandemic, new forms of work have developed, and many people now work online with close to zero interaction with their co-workers, contributing to a feeling of loneliness for a large portion of the day. 

The uncertainty of the job market also means that much time is spent searching for a job, getting ready for a switch, or stressing out about being jobless. In an atmosphere like this, it’s difficult to form long-term and deep connections, resulting in isolation and loneliness at times when work friendships are typically being formed. 

Academic and social pressure

The openness of the world today can send a message that everything is available and should be taken advantage of. This can increase academic pressure on Gen Z, expecting them to achieve more since everything is available to them. In an already achievement-driven society, this can result in much social comparison and looking at how to be better than others rather than being connected with others.

Consequences of Loneliness

Loneliness can be detrimental to mental health and can result in maladaptive behavior developing from trying to cope with isolation and loneliness. We can see that Gen Z is the loneliest generation due to increased depression and anxiety among members of this generational group. They often seek anxiety treatment at We Level Up Treatment Centers, as well as residential treatment for depression, as they are not able to deal with overwhelming feelings and the impact on their everyday functioning. 

Another issue that we’ve noticed among Gen Z is increased substance abuse. Although experimenting with substances is more prevalent at a younger age, it seems that for Generation Z, this often represents an escape from lonely reality. When working with them on how to sober up from marijuana, we address the causes of their addiction, and feeling lonely and isolated (and wanting to feel something else) often comes up.

Coping Strategies and Solutions

Although research shows that Gen Z is the loneliest generation, not everything is lost. There are many ways to address and reduce loneliness:

• Seek professional help. When the feelings are overwhelming, and you feel like you can’t cope with them, you can always reach out for outside support. In situations where you feel isolated and alone, it’s difficult to find support in your immediate environment, and turning to professionals at We Level Up Treatment Centers, for example, might be the best solution. 
• Build stronger offline relationships. Try moving your social interaction from the online to the offline world. Invite someone out for a coffee or a walk, and have a chat rather than looking at your phone. Sharing thoughts, feelings, and experiences is what meaningful connections are about. 
• Be engaged with the community. Volunteering and participating in community service can give you a sense of purpose and connect you with other people. Finding a hobby you enjoy is sure to gather people with similar interests, leading to genuine connections. Reducing screen time will give you time to focus on those connections that others crave as well. 
• Develop healthy habits. Feeling lonely comes from our perception, which is why we sometimes feel alone, even among many people. Practicing mindfulness can help us be more present in the moment and alleviate the feeling of being lonely. Other healthy practices, like exercising, can not only connect us with people enjoying similar activities but also make us less dependent on social media and, with that, less isolated from the offline world.

Contact Us to Help You Make Changes in Your Life and Feel Less Alone

So, what’s the verdict – is Gen Z the loneliest generation? Sadly, Gen Z is the loneliest generation (at least for now), but there’s hope for this to change. Nobody enjoys being lonely, and the impact this feeling has on one’s mental health is sure to push a person towards seeking help. We Level Up Treatment Centers understand the specificities of each generation and each individual and can help you combat loneliness and live a life filled with joy. Connect with us, call our mental health hotline if you are in need, and get a free consultation. We can provide the information, advice, and support you need.