Thu Sep 19 10:27:00 UTC 2024: ## Gen Z and Millennials Struggle to Make Real-Life Friends, Survey Reveals

A new survey by ASK Italian has revealed a concerning trend among Gen Z and Millennials: they struggle to make friends in the real world and believe their grandparents have a better social life. The survey of 2,000 Brits found that 50% of those under 25 believe their parents and grandparents have a better social life, despite having hundreds of online followers.

The survey highlighted a number of reasons for this, including social anxiety (42%), being too busy with work (33%), preferring online communication (28%), low self-confidence (22%), and not knowing where to meet new people (22%). Overall, 44% of Brits under 44 believe it’s harder for their generation to socialise in the real world due to the added layer of digital communication.

Interestingly, even those in their 30s and 40s reported having only six people they truly connect with. This sense of loneliness is echoed by 40% of younger respondents, who feel they are missing out on real-life connections.

To tackle this growing issue, ASK Italian is launching “Friendsay Wednesday,” a dedicated moment for friends to come together at their restaurants. Every Wednesday, they’ll be offering freebies to encourage people to prioritize real-life connections.

“We know it can be hard to gain and keep friends in adulthood,” explains Caitlin Hoey, Senior Brand Manager at ASK Italian. “The research we commissioned showcases the intricacies of modern adult friendship and why our new Feeding Friendship Initiative is so important. We want to help friends swap social media for a social life and make time for each other.”

The survey also revealed that popular figures like Ryan Reynolds, Taylor Swift, and David Beckham are among the celebrities younger generations would most like to be friends with.

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