Half of U.S. adults report experiencing loneliness.
From 2003-2020, our average social engagement with friends decreased 20 hours a month.
What’s causing a decline in social connection?
Globalization
With the rise in globalization, we have seen a decline in localization. We feel less connected to our local communities, we trust those in those communities less, and many of us do not know our neighbors’ names.
Increased Use of Technology & Social Media
The increasing use of technology and social media has replaced in-person interactions and monopolized our attention. This has led to greater feelings of loneliness, a greater fear of missing out, more conflicts in relationships, and reduced social connections.
Decline in Institutions
America has seen a significant decline in civic engagement, with fewer people participating in community organizations, voluntary associations, religious communities, and social groups.
Lacking social connection can increase the risk of premature death as much as smoking 15 cigarettes a day.
Increasing social connection leads to:
Improved Health
Social connections have a profound impact on our biology, psychology, and behavior. Strong community belonging is associated with reduced disease burden, lower mortality rates, and decreased hospital readmission rates, emphasizing the critical role of social connections in overall well-being and health. Research shows a one-unit increase in social capital increases the likelihood of self-reporting good health by 29%.
More Opportunities
Meeting more people can open up new opportunities, including job prospects and meaningful relationships. Substantiated by statistics, resident attachment positively impacts GDP growth, while social capital can significantly enhance the financial prospects of youth from less privileged backgrounds and predict better educational outcomes in early adulthood.
Better Quality of Life
Social connections are a fundamental source of purpose and joy in our lives and culture. For many adults across the globe, relationships are the primary wellspring of meaning, purpose, and motivation. Strong social connections not only grant access to support and coping mechanisms but also diminish the perception of stress, ultimately fostering overall happiness.
How does Gatherday work towards increasing social connection?
Want to learn more about the problem of loneliness in America?
Check out the Surgeon General’s report “Our Epidemic of Loneliness and Isolation.” The facts and statistics on this page and throughout our website are pulled from this report.