In the United States and across the world, actual friends are being replaced by acquaintances. Digital contacts are replacing human contact.
YouTube, TikTok, two-career families, and demanding jobs mean that people have less time to belong to organizations, clubs or churches.
Ten years ago, Robert Putnam noted in his book Bowling Alone that our growing social capital deficit meant people often went bowling alone.
But, bowling, once an activity that attracted people to leagues and provided cheap weekend fun for the family, has changed. League membership is down, alleys are closing. The remaining centers often have to become like little amusement parks to stay open. People don't go out as much. They don't do things together.
In the United Kingdom, the Mental Health Foundation has published The Lonely Society. It says about half of Brits believe they are living in a lonelier society. One in three would like to be closer to family, but social trends are driving them apart.
Today, the average American has only two close friends, and a quarter of Americans say they don't have any.
Shallow friendships prevail, like those with pals on the Internet. Sociologists say they are very worried about the decline in social connections in the United States. A connection with another person may be only a click away, but cultivating a genuine friendship takes more.
People could have everything that life can offer, but if they don't have a good friend, their lives would be fundamentally lacking.
The secret to close friendships? Put down the device and engage the person. Spend some time with a friend, and do it face-to-face.
