Why is loneliness such an epidemic today?

[Anonymous]

why can't all the lonely people just come together and just be friends?

[Syntosi]

Quite frankly? Its because they lack social skills. Part of going to school and all that is to develop your ability to socialize and build friendly relationships. Apparently these people did not do this as well as they probably should. Historically, this was less of an issue because even as adults you were forced to interact with more people in your daily life such as during job or a bigger family at home. Finding place for yourself is a luxury back then. Today, its very easy to find your own little corner of the universe and many fall into the trap of comfort. Instead of maintaining and building new relationships they prefer the comfort of isolation and sustain it with a shallow connection to other people through the internet.

In reality they could at any time just go out and make new connections but their inexperience and mental block is preventing them. If they were more experienced then they would probably not feel as fearful or anxious about it and they would also be able to maintain older friendships longer or even permanently.

[BarryLiverstone]

It’s always been a challenge. However in the past and before modern technology people who lived in small communities were forced to work with their neighbors and be present in the town socials for survival. However now in 2025 someone can live in their residence and never have to leave it to work and survive. So the lack of face to face interactions has warped the challenge

[Miristheiss]

Because people used to pair up at 19 to 24 and have families. They used to live face to face with people.

Now they watch tv, they are on phones, they are single and childless until 30 or forever.

[Curmudgeon]

Well, this has been going on for some time:

https://www.youtube.com/embed/TBoHTTAe_50

[Chazmatazz269]

Because society still doesn’t accept men expressing themselves fully. So even asking to be friends with someone is reason to be marginalized, let alone asking for a hug.

[HighValue]

Moral incompatibility. More men have good morals in modern times and the MAJROITY of women have very bad morals. The divide is easy to see if you look at voting trends too.

[NaultD]

"Third places" disappearing and wage stagnating while inflation is growing faster then living costs.

[genericname85]

they can. littrally nothing is stopping them but they prefer to engage in keyboard wars online.

[exitseven]

social media has made people socially awkward. Covid made it worse.

[Anonymous]

Because you're not on my level and I'd rather be alone than to lower myself to the likes of you. That's why.

That's most people's attitude today.

[beefcakebradybatson]

Folk largely don't value relationships. Last night, I told my boy Jamie how much I value his and his three now-deceased brothers' friendship.

[noohair]

Social media. People had to mingle face to face and pass the smell test...

[Desi_Butcher]

They're lonely for a reason

[seeyounexttuesday]

It’s really fucking scary.

[4ngelic]

the internet

[FunkyMonkee]

Cell phones.