The "Youth, Loneliness and Digitalization" research, conducted in collaboration with Üsküdar University's Department of Sociology and Method Research Company; was carried out with a total of 1,009 participants aged 18-29 across Turkey, with 62% women and 38% men. The study was shared within the scope of the 7th International Loneliness Symposium.
According to the research; the age group where the feeling of loneliness peaked was young people aged 18-21, at 32%.
The time spent on social media functions as a "temporary refuge" used to escape loneliness, rather than a "connecting" tool.
The research revealed that artificial intelligence is beginning to become not just a technical tool but an emotional "haven" for young people:
"Approximately 83% of young people state that they use artificial intelligence to get information and ask questions. 27% of young people ask ChatGPT questions when they feel lonely or don't want to talk to anyone. The rate of turning to artificial intelligence increases to 35% among those who frequently experience loneliness. 33% of young people state that conversing with artificial intelligence is easier than talking to a human."
The "Youth, Loneliness and Digitalization" research, conducted by Üsküdar University and Method Research Company with 1,009 young people aged 18-29 across Turkey, shed light on the emotional world of Gen Z and Gen Y. The research, which paints a portrait of young people in a modern world surrounded by social media and digitalization, revealed that the number of friends does not end loneliness, artificial intelligence has become a new "confidant," and the feeling of "loyalty" has been seriously wounded.
The "Youth, Loneliness and Digitalization" research was carried out with a total of 1,009 participants aged 18-29 across Turkey, 62% of whom were women and 38% men. The study was presented to the public within the scope of the 7th International Loneliness Symposium.
66.3% of young people stated that they have three or more close friends, 29.1% have 1–2 close friends, and 4.6% have no close friends at all.
Loneliness is no longer an exception, it's a routine!
According to the research results, loneliness has ceased to be a temporary emotion among young people and has transformed into an established state of mind. 27.1% of participants state that they feel lonely "occasionally," and 27.3% "frequently." In total, more than 50% of young people living in a climate of loneliness reveals that loneliness has normalized among young people, is experienced silently, and is often internalized.
The most fragile period: 18-21 Years Old
The age group where the feeling of loneliness peaked was young people aged 18-21, at 32%. This rate rises to 36% especially in the 18-19 age group. This "threshold" period, where transitioning to university, breaking away from family, and future anxiety converge, has been recorded as the time when young people feel most vulnerable and lonely.
Women share, men bottle up
The research shows a clear gender difference in how loneliness is experienced. According to the research findings, women constitute 61% of those who say "I feel lonely occasionally" and 58% of those who say "I feel lonely frequently." This situation indicates that women express the feeling of loneliness more openly. Among men, loneliness is expressed at lower rates, but this does not mean that men are less lonely. This data reveals that women are more courageous in expressing loneliness, while men experience an "invisible" loneliness by suppressing this emotion due to societal roles.
Many friends, no intimacy!
One of the most surprising results of the research was the relationship between the number of friends and loneliness. Despite 66.3% of young people stating they have three or more close friends, they continue to feel lonely. This situation proves that "quantitative crowd is not enough to establish a qualitative bond." Young people experience problems of "not being understood" and "emotional insecurity" even when people are around them.
Perception of loyalty and fidelity is shaken!
The young generation's trust in human relationships is also severely tested. Only one-third of young people believe that people are loyal to each other in difficult times. Although the concept of "loyalty" is still defined as "being by one's side in hard times," young people state that they do not find the equivalent of this value in daily life. This mistrust causes young people to be more distant and cautious when forming bonds.
Loneliness deepens as screen time increases
The link between digitalization and loneliness was also clearly seen in the research. 40% of young people who frequently feel lonely spend more than 4 hours a day on social media. However, the time spent on social media functions as a "temporary refuge" used to escape loneliness, rather than a "connecting" tool. Intense contact in the digital world is not enough to fill the feeling of emptiness in real life.
New confidant ChatGPT!
The research revealed that artificial intelligence is beginning to become not just a technical tool but an emotional "haven" for young people:
"Approximately 83% of young people state that they use artificial intelligence to get information and ask questions. 27% of young people ask ChatGPT questions when they feel lonely or don't want to talk to anyone. The rate of turning to artificial intelligence increases to 35% among those who frequently experience loneliness. 33% of young people state that conversing with artificial intelligence is easier than talking to a human. In contrast, 59% do not think that artificial intelligence will reduce feelings of loneliness."
Prof. Dr. Ebulfez Süleymanlı: "Loneliness Has Transformed Into a Structural Experience"
Evaluating the research results, Prof. Dr. Ebulfez Süleymanlı from Üsküdar University's Department of Sociology stated that loneliness is no longer a temporary state of mind but a structural problem, and noted the following:
"This research reveals that loneliness among young people has ceased to be a temporary state of mind and has transformed into a structural experience linked to the quality and continuity of relationships. Although a significant portion of young people have social circles and friendship networks, the widespread continuation of the feeling of loneliness indicates that expectations of trust, intimacy, and reciprocity in relationships are not adequately met. In this respect, loneliness emerges more as an expression of a feeling of not being understood and insecurity, rather than a disconnection.
The findings regarding loyalty and fidelity make visible an important social transformation underlying the experience of loneliness. Young people perceive relationships as more fragile, temporary, and conditional; this leads them to act cautiously and distantly when forming bonds."
Young people seek trust, not more communication
Hale Aslı Kılıç from Method Research Company also commented, "The findings regarding the use of artificial intelligence and ChatGPT point to the digital dimension of this transformation. Young people do not use artificial intelligence to 'solve' loneliness; rather, they use it to alleviate and manage it. The research clearly reveals that the fundamental need of young people is not more communication; but safer, more permanent, and loyalty-based social bonds."