A young woman sitting on her couch with her laptop, drinking coffee alone.  Image by Vlada Karpovich from Pexels is licensed under Pexels license.

Stories of young people self-isolating frequent national headlines, with The Atlantic, NPR, Fox, The New York Times and others shedding light on this growing pattern. Loneliness, an inherent source of human anxiety, has been tied to many negative health impacts and societal level ripple effects. But, understanding this trend thoroughly is important to start addressing it – and that’s where social science comes in.

Loneliness

30-something year old, single man living in his parents basement, watching television or playing video games. Or the female equivalent, a single woman generously pampering her pet(s) and posting it online for the world to see. However, while young people are spending more time at home, researchers have also found that they are also more likely to eat out at restaurants, exercise at the gym, and volunteer. In other words, we think young people are lonely — in a traditional sense.

So why do some young adults appear to withdraw from social life? One key factor is the stigma surrounding unemployment, traditional employment, and not enrolling in higher education, which has been linked to social withdrawal. Many individuals fear being judged for their job or student status, leading them to disengage from social interactions. Additionally, lower income levels can amplify feelings of inadequacy compared to their peers. Another major contributor is poor physical and mental health, which can create a cycle: declining health leads to isolation, and in turn, isolation worsens overall well-being.

And of course…technology. Some research has called out how excessive reliance on technology for connection has reduced face-to-face connections, weakening relationships and increasing feelings of loneliness. However, technology can also expand social networks by enabling connections across distances, providing support and interaction that might not be physically possible otherwise. Yet, online communities can devolve into arenas for cyberbullying and harassment, leading to significant psychological distress and even radicalization. Nonetheless, online forums are not going anywhere and must be considered in discussion.

Addressing Loneliness

This pattern of apparent, increased loneliness began decades again, first beginning to build momentum in the 1970s. Robert Putnam’s Bowling Alone was an early warning bell of how the erosion of civic engagement, social networks, and the increase of technology are contributing to a world where it’s not easy to make and maintain face-to-face connections. This, in turn, has led to a now audible historical echo of an increase in individualism and lack of civic engagement now in the 2020s.

Research on clinical interventions for extreme loneliness, such as intensive socialization programs for young people, has largely shown these efforts to be ineffective—underscoring the need for broader, societal improvements. Experts argue that investing in social infrastructure—such as schools, libraries, museums, and sports facilities—can create shared spaces that encourage natural, meaningful interactions. Additionally, technology policies should be designed to enhance (rather than replace) in-person engagement, address concerns over excessive screen time, online toxicity, and the decline of face-to-face relationships.

However, while some view this shift as inherently negative, some see it as a reflection of changing preferences, where physical solitude and selective socialization are embraced rather than feared. From this perspective, the rise of personal digital communication, remote work, and independent lifestyles can be seen as expanding social choice rather than simply signaling social decline.