Engaging with the world: a case for real-life connections in the era of cell phone restrictions in Britain and abroad, according to Yondr
The growing demand for real-world interactions is emerging from a confluence of societal challenges, namely the increasing awareness of the adverse effects of spending way too much time on screens, and the loneliness epidemic. Recent research by Gallup showed that 80 percent of young people under the age of 18 report feeling lonely, with 22 percent saying they have no real friends. Zero. Only three percent of adults admitted to not having a close friend in 30 years. In these stats is a collective cry of loneliness. People are more interested in having real friends than in just following people.
We are reaching towards things that keep us connected in local life. According to new research in the UK from the National Lottery Community Fund, half of UK adults intend to participate in local volunteering activities, both formally and informally in 2024. Over 70 percent say it’s important to them to feel part of their local community.
The worldwide platform that helps 60 million people to get away from the internet and meet up in real world increased its memberships by 19 percent in the year 2019. The number one reason people use the platform is to find meaning in their lives in person, a 50 percent increase over previous years, was shown in the latest measurement report. The most popular search phrase for events is “Friends.” The second most popular search term is “Book Club.”
Yondr, founded in the US, partners with comedy clubs, arenas, clubs, and schools to organize phone-free events. Jack White, Bob Dylan, Garth Brooks, John Mayer, Madonna, and Adele have all implemented cell phone bans at their concerts so they could stop looking out at a sea of blinking smartphones, and to help the audience to connect by disconnecting.
A group of people are sitting together in a cafe with plush sofas and warm lighting, playing board games. There is something that isn’t visible. There is no phone in sight. It’s one of a regular series of community events held by the burgeoning Offline Club, where members pay around $8.00 to leave their phone in a lock box at the door and spend the next few hours unplugged. Demand is growing rapidly. What started as a local initiative is quickly turning into a global movement with regular events hosted in cafés, churches, and town halls selling out fast across the UK, Denmark, and the Netherlands.
One More Hour: A Social Connections Initiative to Foster Real-Life Connections in the era of the Singularities and Social Isolation
But the emotional risk was worth it, she says. The surf group was a tonic. She felt seen by the other people in it. Just the fact that the instructors remembered her name felt profound and meaningful.
Mendez participated in one such club, called Intersxtn Surf — a group for women of color who surf together. “I was so scared the first time,” says Mendez.
A total of $1 million was invested in 40 groups that meet in person in Los Angeles, Atlanta, and New York. The list includes an art collective, a filmmaking club and a group that gathers to read together.
The two organizations partnered on an effort to foster real-life connections — of any kind, not just romantic. The surgeon general emphasizes the need to spend time with friends and One More Hour is a nod to that. It’s hard to plan for a return to a society where people are not on their phones or working remotely. Yet even a small amount of time spent in real life can make a big difference for young people.
They turned to the Foundation for Social Connection — a research and policy group that works to address social isolation — for partnership. They had been studying this group as well. “We were seeing the reduction of things like social groups, clubs, engagement in clubs, third spaces for people to gather,” says Jillian Racoosin, executive director of the foundation.
Hinge’s concern is more than just altruistic. The company had come to understand from their users that people are more successful at dating when they have other, meaningful relationships in their life. Those with weak social circles end up with a long list of needs to a potential partner. It can be too much for a relationship to bear.
When the surgeon general issued a 2023 warning on the epidemic of loneliness and social isolation, one fact stood out: People between the ages of 15-24 spend 70% less time in person with friends than those of the same age did in 2003. This difference amounts to nearly 1,000 fewer hours per year.
As a child, Genesy Mendez struggled with anxiety and lacked confidence when it came to socializing. The pandemic compounded things, and the 29-year-old elementary school teacher says she felt out of practice around making friends.
A new, meaningful friendship was created with the help of the surfing group. She spends a lot of time with her friends. She joined a running group because of her success and met a man she is dating now, not a surfer.
Source: How to solve the Gen Z social isolation problem? She tried surfing and it worked
One More Hour: Making Sense out of the Hinge Effect for a Generation Z that can’t be reached by Groups like Penny
It’s unclear the extent to which Hinge’s efforts will pay off. There are far more members of Generation Z than they can reach. Penny says One More Hour is an attempt to surface lessons learned for wider use among those trying to mitigate a problem unique to this younger generation.
The biggest challenge people have in engaging in groups like these is being honest. The cost and time were two things, but the main concern was around emotional barriers, which were questions like ‘What if I don’t fit in?’ What if I don’t find what I’m looking for?’ The skills required for in-person socializing are different than those needed to engage online, and this generation is simply out of shape. “They just need to build these muscles.”