In today’s digitally saturated world, it’s ironic that Gen Z – one of the most connected generations—is also the loneliest.
Even though we live in a time of constant connectivity, many young people – especially Gen Z—say they feel lonelier than any other age group. Data from the Campaign to End Loneliness reveals that three in ten adults aged 16 to 29 report feeling lonely “some of the time.” A Gallup and Meta study reports that globally, 25% of respondents aged 15 to 18 feel “very lonely” or “fairly lonely.”
It’s a paradox, really: that this younger generation is hyperconnected, yet they are also deeply isolated.
The Digital Disconnect
A major contributing factor is technology. Social media platforms—Instagram posts, TikTok videos—often feature extremely filtered highlights of peoples’s lives rather than what’s real.
Dr. Anna Goldfarb, author of Modern Friendship, describes how the COVID-19 pandemic eroded young people’s ‘social stamina,’ making offline interaction feel awkward. The irony lies in the illusion of connection: in that your online friends may never become your real friends.
When Friends Are Not Enough
Offline loneliness isn’t about being friendless. It is about lacking real emotional bonds. Social media inflates your number of “friends,” but research shows that many Gen Zers have a higher proportion of online-only connections.
Without face-to-face interaction, the relationships of these groups stay on the surface – with lots of likes and comments, but no emotional depth. Loneliness then becomes not just about solitude but also about emotional emptiness.
What Gen Z Is Feeling
Several stressors merge to intensify loneliness among young adults. Those aged 16 to 29 are living through a period of flux, a time when a lot of things are changing and nothing feels settled. They’re navigating education, forming new friendships (especially post-COVID-19), moving out of their family homes, and dealing with job uncertainty.
They’re also experiencing digital fatigue. Despite being online constantly, they are reporting higher levels of stress than older age groups.
The result: these young people feel disconnected, overwhelmed, and emotionally vulnerable.
Why It Matters
Loneliness is not benign. It carries real health costs – from depression and anxiety to worsening heart health and weakened immunity. The World Health Organization even recognizes loneliness as a public health crisis and experts agree that real connection thrives on emotional presence.
Of course, loneliness doesn’t belong to just one generation. It exists across all age groups. But Gen Z reports the highest rates, with digital overload, social isolation, and economic stress making it worse.
That is why our conversations must go beyond memes and emojis. Our conversations must consist of authentic listening, shared vulnerability, and meaningful reciprocity.
To address loneliness, we need awareness, empathy, and systemic action. That’s what sparks emotional intimacy.
Real-World Connection
We are also aware that connectivity does not equal connection. But Gen Zers, who are more aware and much more vocal, are already paving the way forward. They’re already seeking emotional depth, creating tangible experiences, and championing the power of face-to-face human presence.
Tech may connect us instantly, but what we truly need goes beyond the screens: we need empathy that listens, presence that cares, and relationships that matter.
This post was written in conjunction with Loneliness Awareness Week (9–15 June). With the theme Meeting Loneliness Together, the campaign encourages society to normalize conversations around loneliness and prioritize emotional presence over digital chatter.