Americans' Social Activity Has Steeply Declined in the Past 30 Years

Data from the General Social Survey (GSS) reveals that Americans have become increasingly isolated over the past 30 years. Between 1993 and 2022, the percentage of Americans who have no friends outside of their family has risen from 10% to 27%. This decline in social activity is attributed to factors such as increased screen time, decreased community engagement, and the rise of social media. The study also found that people are less likely to participate in community activities, volunteer, or attend social events, with the percentage of Americans who have attended a community meeting or event in the past week declining from 22% to 9% between 1993 and 2022. The GSS is a survey conducted by the National Opinion Research Center at the University of Chicago.