Friendship is a beautiful connection between two or more individuals, irrespective of their background, age, ethnicity, or any other factor. Having friends is considered as one of the purest relationships shared by humans, requiring nothing but good intentions and mutual trust.
Gen Z is often described as the most connected generation. However, much of this connection occurs online rather than through face-to-face interactions. This may explain why many in Gen Z find solace and friendship on platforms such as Snapchat, Instagram, and Reddit rather than exclusively in offline settings.
The Online Generation
Gen Z is the first generation to be born into the digital age, with smartphones, social platforms, and instant messaging forming a natural part of everyday life. This constant exposure has conditioned them to feel more connected online.
Unlike older generations, whose friendships largely depended on physical spaces and in-person interactions, Gen Z’s social networks extend far beyond geographical boundaries. According to a survey conducted by Tinder, about 68 per cent of Indian Gen Z respondents found it easier to build connections online, and 67 per cent agreed that meeting people online felt liberating.
As per a 2025 report by the Pew Research Centre, social media has become an integral part of teenagers’ lives, with some reporting being “almost constantly” online. This includes platforms such as TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, Snapchat, and Facebook. Notably, 36 per cent of teenagers reported using at least one of these platforms almost constantly.
A 2020 study by CNBC found that nearly 73 per cent of respondents aged 18 to 22 admitted to often feeling lonely, an increase from 69 per cent the previous year. This data highlights how deeply social media has blended into the lives of younger generations, with many of their social interactions taking place online.
These platforms provide spaces that young people perceive as safe enough to converse without judgment or the pressure of physical presence.
Read More: Breakfast Babble: Why Adult Friendships Pass My Vibe Check
The Reason Behind This
One key reason Gen Z gravitates towards online bonds over face-to-face interactions is the control these platforms offer over self-presentation. Unlike real-life interactions, which can feel overwhelming and unpredictable, online spaces allow time to think, draft responses, and manage interactions, reducing social pressure and insecurity.
According to Smriti Joshi, Chief of Clinical Services at Wysa, “Online friendships reduce what psychologists call social threat.” She explains, “In face-to-face settings, young people are constantly reading cues and managing impressions. Online, much of that load disappears. The interaction becomes more about content than performance.”
As a result, Gen Z often prefers online friendships because of the sense of safety and emotional relief they provide. Behind a screen, the fear of judgment diminishes, making it easier to open up about struggles and mental health concerns. Digital spaces also allow young people to find communities with shared experiences, something that may feel harder to access offline.
Another contributing factor is anonymity. Platforms such as Reddit and Discord allow users to interact without revealing their identities, encouraging honest expression without fear of social repercussions.
Anjali Pillai, a psychologist and Programmes Lead at SafeStories in Pune, notes, “From a psychosocial lens, online friendships reduce exposure to immediate social threat. They allow Gen Z greater control over timing, depth, and visibility, when to respond, how much to share, and when to pull back. The absence of constant nonverbal evaluation, such as eye contact, tone, and facial reactions, lowers perceived risk.”
This growing preference for online interaction can also be seen as an aftereffect of the COVID-19 pandemic. The normalisation of digital communication, combined with urban isolation and rising mental health challenges among Gen Z, has altered how young people perceive the necessity of in-person interactions.
Further elaborating, Smriti Joshi explains, “For most young people, digital friendships act as emotional scaffolding. They provide connection, validation, and understanding that may be missing offline, especially during periods of transition or isolation. The concern is not digital friendship itself, but when it becomes a substitute rather than a bridge.”
Ultimately, like any social phenomenon, online interaction requires balance. When used as an escape from reality, social media platforms can cause more harm than good. Overreliance on digital bonds and neglect of real-life relationships can negatively impact mental health and overall well-being.
This dependence can also increase exposure to risks such as cyberbullying and other online crimes. As the digital landscape continues to expand, the real challenge is not choosing between online and offline friendships, but learning how to maintain a healthy balance between the two.
Sources: The Indian Express, Times of India, CNBC
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This post is tagged under: Gen Z, Gen Z friendships, online friendships, digital friendships, social media and Gen Z, Discord friendships, Snapchat friendships, Reddit communities, online communities, Gen Z mental health, internet culture, youth culture, digital communication, social media impact
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