Study finds nearly one in ten Gen Zers have no daily face-to-face contact
Analysis of US Census data shows that about 10% of adults aged 23-29 report zero in-person interactions each day, a level that rose sharply during the pandemic.
Research based on US Census data, highlighted by one outlet, indicates that close to 10% of Gen Z individuals (ages 23-29) experience no daily face-to-face interactions, a stark rise from the pre-pandemic figure of 3%. The American one outlet Use Survey shows the proportion jumped to almost 9% as COVID restrictions eased in late 2021, peaked at 10% in 2023, and has only modestly declined since. While the most socially engaged young adults have seen their daily time with others rebound to 83% by 2025, the most isolated quarter saw their contact drop to essentially zero during the pandemic and remain there.
Additionally, Americans are spending more time on screens, with daily computer and social-media use climbing from 25 minutes a decade ago to 37 minutes in 2025, and teenagers averaging 90 minutes. The survey also notes that over a third of workers continued remote work in 2025, three years after restrictions lifted.
Why it matters
The findings highlight a growing social isolation among young adults, which could affect mental health and workforce dynamics.
In this story
