Guardian opinion piece highlights decline of spontaneous social hangouts among young people
Data shows rising domestic screen time in the US and Australia, with adults over 50 now spending more time socialising in person than teens and young adults
A recent opinion piece in The Guardian by Brigid Delaney argues that long, unstructured social hangouts are becoming increasingly rare, particularly among young adults. The article contrasts historical spontaneous socialising with current trends of "ambient connection" via social media and increased time spent at home on devices. It cites data showing rising domestic screen time in the US and Australia, and notes that adults over 50 now spend more time socialising in person than teens and young adults.
Delaney cites Marisa Franco, a psychologist, who describes social media interactions as "snacks of connection" compared to the "nutrient-dense meal" of in-person connection. The article references cultural touchstones such as Helen Garner’s novel Monkey Grip (1977) and films including Before Sunrise (1995), Ferris Bueller’s Day Off (1986), and Reality Bites (1996) to illustrate past norms of spontaneous socialising.
Data from the US Bureau of Labour Statistics indicates that in 2024, adults aged 50 and older spent more time socialising in person than teens and young adults. US data shows the average time spent at home rose by one hour and 39 minutes a day between 2003 and 2022, with 15- to 24-year-olds spending more than two additional hours at home daily compared to 2006.
Australian data suggests the average person spends roughly five and a half hours on mobile phones daily, with total internet usage at 41 hours per week. The author notes that young people are increasingly opting to spend time at home on devices rather than engaging in unstructured social activities.
Factors contributing to the decline in spontaneous hangouts include the cost of living, the disappearance of "third spaces," general exhaustion, and intensive parenting demands. The claim that "hanging out is not quite dead – but it’s not thriving" is a subjective assessment by the author rather than a quantifiable fact.
The data cited regarding US and Australian screen time and socialisation habits is presented as general trends and averages; individual experiences may vary significantly. The article highlights a shift from unstructured, spontaneous interaction to scheduled, screen-mediated contact, noting that the skill of "having a good hang" is being lost.
Delaney’s piece suggests that contemporary life has systematically dismantled the social architecture seen in earlier cultural works, where characters were perpetually available to each other. The narrative emphasises that while unstructured time with friends has always contracted when responsibilities loom, the current trend among younger generations is distinct in its reliance on digital alternatives to physical presence.