The Great Rewiring of the early 2010s saw a rising generation of hermits. Notably, most of the decline in socialization actually happened prior to the pandemic. Between 2010 and 2019, the average time young adults spent with friends in a given week fell by nearly 50%, from 12.8 hours to just 6.5 hours. The pandemic pushed this number even lower, to 4.2 hours a week with friends. And while there has been a slight increase since, we seem to have found a new norm. Young adults spent just 5.1 hours with friends in a given week in 2024.
It's no surprise that this period is also marked by an increase in sexlessness. More time devoted to smart phones, social media, pornography, and gaming meant that young adults had fewer opportunities to develop the social skills needed to form relationships and spent less time in social settingsâ€â€such as partiesâ€â€that would facilitate romantic relationships. The negative consequences of gaming may also extend to young men’s declining participation in the workforce, which reduces their appeal on the mating market. Indeed, one recent study finds