Why Gen Z Are Starved for Community

We are currently in the midst of a loneliness epidemic. With the disappearance of many social spaces for the young generation, it has left Gen Z feeling starved for community.

Despite this, people have started becoming more creative when creating community gatherings, introducing online trends into the public sphere. From the Timothée Chalamet lookalike competition to cinema cults on the rise – creativity has become the bridge for connection.

There has been a shift in recent years on the integrity of social contracts. People today tend to be more ‘me-focused’, placing less emphasis on the collective.

Social media, in particular, has played a significant role in shifting our standards especially in friendships. Most of us no longer tolerate flaky friends or those who go missing online for extended periods.

However, this growing tendency to focus on the self has come at a cost: the slow erosion of our social contracts. This is why so many people today are left wondering: where is my community?

People are becoming increasingly unwilling to do what is necessary to build real, lasting connections. The younger generation places less importance on in-person meetings or gatherings; often, a simple text or phone call is deemed sufficient. Unfortunately, convenience doesn’t always equate to connection.

Young people are starved for community due to the pressure and financial burden of the so-called “friendship tax”. This term describes the societal pressure to hang out in social settings that require spending money.

Whether it’s cafés, dinners, or events, friendship is increasingly being seen as a luxury, as the cost of maintaining social ties through shared activities continues to rise.

While these outings can strengthen bonds, they also create financial strain, especially for young people facing an ever-increasing cost of living. What once felt like casual socialising now often requires a budget. Those unable to participate may feel excluded or isolated.

Gen Z are making creative and often desperate attempts to build community beyond the digital world. Looking back, we’ve seen similar community-driven events in the past: the infamous Area 51 raid, the Pokémon Go craze, or the growing trend of dressing up for concerts.

These aren’t just trends—they’re signs of a desperate need for what sociologists call third spaces. These are spaces outside of home and work/school where people can gather purely for social interaction.

With club culture in rapid decline, third spaces are becoming rare, pushing people to get imaginative—whether it’s turning a concert into a full-blown event or treating a casual hangout as something special.

One standout cultural phenomenon was the infamous Timothée Chalamet lookalike competition. Posters were put up all over New York City advertising the event, which was held in Washington Square Park and open to all. What began as a meme unexpectedly brought people together to celebrate something lighthearted and fun.

The event sparked a wave of similar celebrity lookalike competitions, though none had quite the same impact, especially after Timothée himself turned up and joined the crowd.

Another example is the recent popularity of cinema gatherings, which have grown in the years since the pandemic. As traditional cinemas decline and streaming services rise, people have begun using film screenings as a way to reconnect in real life.

Cult-like cinematic events such as The Eras Tour movie or The Minecraft Movie, serve as hubs for community. People come together in shared spaces to bond over a mutual passion.

While such gatherings have sparked some criticism, particularly regarding young people disrupting screenings, it’s clear that these events are filling a gap. People want to connect, but due to fear of rejection, it often feels safer to attend events with open invitations.

Loneliness is rising, and Gen Z are on a desperate search to find connection in new ways. With fewer traditional spaces to meet, they’re turning to creative, often unconventional methods to build community.

From online trends to real-life events, it’s clear that the younger generation craves social spaces, and they’re taking matters into their own hands to create them.

Words by Alyssa O’Sullivan