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Study: Young people prefer scrolling online over going out
🇬🇷 Greece /Culture & Society

Study: Young people prefer scrolling online over going out

From Ta Nea · () Greek

Translated from Greek, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • A new study reveals that two-thirds of young people admit to canceling social plans to spend time online, highlighting Gen Z's deep digital engagement.
  • Despite rising loneliness, many prefer interacting with AI chatbots, finding them easier than human conversation, with 14% turning to AI when feeling lonely.
  • Over 40% of young people experience fear in simple social conversations, and 27% feel anxious about phone calls, according to research on loneliness.

A significant portion of young adults are prioritizing online interactions over real-world social engagements, with two-thirds admitting to canceling plans to spend more time on the internet. This trend, detailed in a new study, underscores the profound connection Generation Z has with their digital lives.

The research, published by The Telegraph, indicates that even as feelings of loneliness increase, many young individuals find AI chatbots to be a more comfortable communication medium than human interaction. One in four participants reported that conversing with AI feels easier, and 14% confessed to seeking out AI companionship when experiencing loneliness.

I have lost the sanctuary of my own thoughts.

— Siri HustvedtHustvedt poetically described the death of her husband, Paul Auster.

Beyond digital preferences, the study highlights a growing social anxiety among young people. More than four in ten respondents stated that simple social conversations induce fear, while 27% experience anxiety when making phone calls. These findings emerged from research conducted for the Marmalade Trust, a charity focused on reducing loneliness.

The study also points to social media as a key factor exacerbating these issues. Nearly half of young adults feel more isolated due to social media, with only 30% believing it helps them connect with others. One in three participants acknowledged that comparing themselves to others online intensifies their feelings of loneliness, a phenomenon more pronounced among women. Overall, 67% of those surveyed experienced loneliness weekly, and over a quarter felt lonely multiple times a day, even when in social settings.

My house, my bed, and my body are broken.

— Siri HustvedtHustvedt described her grief in stark terms.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Ta Nea in Greek. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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