WHO’S FEELING
THE LONELINESS?
Older Generation vs Internet Generation
Loneliness. What comes to mind when you think of it?
Perhaps it’s the older generation, confined to their home, settled in an armchair with only the TV remote for company. Whilst that may be the naïve stereotypical scenario, not only does this not capture the reality of later life, it also doesn’t capture how loneliness impacts different generations. In fact, sometimes the most digitally connected are ironically the ones feeling the most disconnected.
There’s a misconception that Gen Z are not confronted with solitary challenges…
especially given the social media era we’re living in where digital natives have hundreds (if not thousands) of ‘connections’ or ‘friends’ and the number of likes on your last post seems to translate to perceived popularity.
But this is far from reality.
When asked about their ability to make friends…
%
One fifth of younger people said they didn’t know how or where to make friends.
%
Compared to just under a tenth of 55–75-year-olds.
%
And, one in three 16–34-year-olds in Britain feel lonely at least once a week.
%
Males aged 55-75 are the group least likely to say they can be open about their personal issues with friends, with one third finding it hard to open up emotionally to anyone.
But this is far from reality.
When asked about their ability to make friends…
%
One fifth of younger people said they didn’t know how or where to make friends.
%
Compared to just under a tenth of 55–75-year-olds.
%
And, one in three 16–34-year-olds in Britain feel lonely at least once a week.
%
Males aged 55-75 are the group least likely to say they can be open about their personal issues with friends, with one third finding it hard to open up emotionally to anyone.
There’s also a significant disparity in how men and women try to breakthrough the loneliness limbo.
Young men, for example, feel that video games, watching sports and work are the main ways they make new friends and socialise.
%
Work
%
Videogames
%
Watching sports
Whereas young women say work, through other friends, hobbies and family are their main source.
%
Work
%
Other friends
%
Hobbies
%
Family
To see the full chart click the thumbnail below
Uncover more insights on this topic.
Watch Richie Jones unpack the findings with Politics JOE below, or find the full data and read the results in more depth.
Richie Jones
Chief Client Officer
Ipsos in the UK & Ireland
richie.jones@ipsos.com
+44 (0)20 3059 5000
As Chief Client Officer, Richie is responsible for bringing the best of Ipsos to our clients, ensuring we deliver excellence, partnering with them to drive their long-term growth and helping them achieve impact through their research.
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MASCULINITIES
Ipsos in the UK
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