A recent survey indicates that more than two-thirds of Americans engage in no social interaction on an average day, coinciding with a substantial increase in screen time over the past ten years. This trend has disproportionately impacted Generation Z, according to a prominent psychologist.
William Chopik, an associate professor of psychology and data scientist at Washington University in St. Louis, noted that younger individuals are finding it more challenging to establish social connections. "They struggle to form social connections as easily," Chopik stated.
The American Time Use Survey data reveals that only 30% of Americans reported socializing or communicating on an average day in 2025, a decrease from 38% in 2015. Concurrently, the average time spent socializing daily fell from 41 minutes to 35 minutes. This decline closely mirrors the rise in leisure time dedicated to computer use, social media, or gaming, which increased from 25 minutes to 37 minutes per day during the same period.
Younger individuals, specifically Gen Zers aged 15 to 19, reported the highest screen time, averaging 1.5 hours daily on their devices. Chopik suggests that the COVID-19 pandemic and its associated lockdowns played a significant role, particularly in disrupting the social development of young people.
"Their adolescence and their emerging adulthood were characterized by this really tumultuous time; basically, they were locked inside for two years," Chopik explained. "At this really crucial time when they’re learning how to socialize, they’re trying to figure out who they are and what they like to do. You can’t get those years back. You can’t catch up." He also pointed to the economic instability experienced during that period as a contributing factor.
This phenomenon aligns with other findings indicating that Gen Z consumes less alcohol and has less sex compared to previous generations at similar ages. Chopik elaborated that while the pandemic's disruptions led to a decrease in socializing across all age groups, Gen Z appears to have adopted a more avoidant attachment style, making recovery more difficult post-lockdowns.
Additionally, Chopik highlighted environmental factors, such as the decline of informal gathering spaces, often referred to as "third places." "When I was a kid, there used to be places where you could go and not spend money. Just hang out with friends," he recalled. "Those places still do exist; there are just fewer of them. And I think part of the problem, too, is that life is really expensive. Traditionally, there was an outlet for people to socialize without breaking the bank."
The increased reliance on screen-based communication has also led to a lack of practice in essential face-to-face social skills for many young people, including active listening and conflict resolution. Despite these challenges, Chopik's research indicates a strong desire for genuine connection among young individuals. His work includes teaching basic interaction techniques to Gen Z participants, which has shown success in helping them build friendships and improve their psychological well-being.
Chopik expressed hope that early observations of Gen Alpha suggest a potential return to more normalized social behaviors, indicating that the trends seen in Gen Z might be a temporary deviation. "[Gen Alpha] seem to really thrive and to want to socialize," he concluded.