Americans are spending significantly less time socializing face-to-face than they were 20 years ago, according to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ American Time Use Survey.
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Axios reports that the average time Americans spend socializing per day has dropped from 45 minutes to 35 minutes over the last 20 years, a trend that cuts across every generation, ethnicity, and income level.
The drop-off has sparked concern among sociologists and public health officials, who warn of a growing epidemic of loneliness and social isolation
Researchers found the steepest decline among young people between 15 to 24-years-old who went from spending an hour a day hanging out with others to 35 minutes, according to Axios.
Americans of all ages are spending less time socializing https://t.co/YrMJ736ozj
— Axios (@axios) July 5, 2026
The survey also found that neighborhood connection has also dropped with only 25% of young adults talking to their neighbors a few times a week, compared to 56% of seniors aged 65 and older.
The trend represents a fundamental shift in the way we live our lives that has implications for everything from what we believe to how long we live.
Meanwhile, older generations have maintained steadier neighborhood ties, their overall participation in civic, community, and religious groups has also faced long-term declines.
Sociologists and psychologists say that several trends are driving this phenomenon, including smartphone and social media proliferation where real-world relationships have been replaced by screen interactions.
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A Gallup poll showed that teens spend an average of 4.8 hours per day on platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and Snapchat, according to Axios.
Other factors contributing to the lack of face-to-face socialization included the practice of working and living entirely from home during the pandemic which created permanent homebound habits for millions of adults and removed built-in daily interactions with colleagues.
The convenience economy is also a factor with larger, more comfortable homes, larger TVs and immersive streaming options and food delivery apps and e-commerce making it entirely seamless to never leave the house.
A third factor is the disappearance of traditional community gathering spots such as local libraries, coffee shops, churches, and community centers, leaving individuals with fewer unstructured places to meet.
A Gallup study on community ties revealed that Americans who lack reliable neighbors are significantly less confident about their financial futures and experience lower social mobility.
That study showed that without strong local networks, individuals lose access to the mutual aid, job opportunities, and emotional safety nets typically found within their local communities.
