(Lifeway Research) A simple Google search tells the tale: We love to stereotype Gen Z. Broad generalizations like “Digitally dependent,” “tech addicted” and “the most isolated generation” have defined this cohort of young people, who were born roughly between 1995-2010 and together with millennials make up over half of the U.S. population.
New research from Springtide Research Institute suggests that contrary to these popular stereotypes, Gen Zers are in fact making friends—even close friends and best friends. Unfortunately, only about a quarter of young people say they’ve made friends in faith communities.
Most young people have five or more friends
Gen Z has been called the “loneliest generation,” and the COVID-19 pandemic has only exacerbated this problem. Yet, it is important to note that Americans across all generations are getting lonelier, causing some to describe this trend as nothing short of a loneliness epidemic.