The social isolation sparked by COVID-19 lockdowns is often blamed for igniting a global loneliness crisis, but as Harvard lecturer and psychologist Richard Weissbourd told The New York Times Magazine, “the pandemic exposed and turbocharged an existing problem.” ndeed, even before 2020, about half of Americans reported feeling lonely at least some of the time. By 2023, 24% of people worldwide reported feeling very or fairly lonely, and with past research linking social isolation to serious health concerns – including a 29% increased risk of premature death and a 50% higher risk of developing dementia – this widespread emotional issue has the potential to severely impact physical wellbeing.

The reasons for this public health crisis are intuitive. Human beings are simply spending more time isolated at home, with social interactions predominantly taking place online. The institutions that were once central to communities – places of worship, social clubs, and community centers – are dwindling in presence and influence. This downward trend has been noted for several years, particularly by the political scientist Robert Putnam in his 2000 book, Bowling Alone, which chronicled the collapse of community groups and organizations across America. As a result, people are spending less time in IRL social settings where they might purposefully meet and spontaneously create the deep connections that humans thrive on. “Human beings need social connections to thrive,” said Dr. Olivia Remes, a mental health researcher at the University of Cambridge, to CNN, “and being embedded in strong supportive networks can protect our wellbeing when we’re faced with difficulties in life.”

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