Americans are facing rising levels of social isolation, with significant consequences for public health and society, according to Bradley Holst, assistant teaching professor at Georgetown University’s McCourt School of Public Policy. Speaking as part of the university’s “Ask a Professor” series, Holst outlined how one in four U.S. adults lacks social and emotional support, while nearly 30 percent of American households now consist of a single person—up from 13 percent in 1960. Young Americans spend far less time with friends than in previous decades.
Holst explained that social isolation is linked to various mental health issues and self-destructive behaviors such as substance abuse and suicide. “Deaths of despair, the adolescent mental health crisis, mass shootings, the crisis of masculinity, low social mobility, extreme partisan polarization, and openness to authoritarian rule. Social isolation is a unifying thread linking all these social ailments,” he said. “Policy makers wanting to ameliorate any of these problems should pay more attention to the role social isolation plays in producing all of them.”
He distinguished between loneliness—a subjective feeling—and social isolation, which sociologists measure by factors like time spent alone or number of close relationships. While both contribute to societal challenges, Holst argued that shifts in political philosophy have also played a role. The rise of liberalism over communitarian approaches has emphasized individual autonomy at the expense of community connections.
Holst cited research suggesting that changes in technology and economic structure have exacerbated isolation. He referenced Jonathan Haidt’s book “The Anxious Generation,” noting that increased screen time among adolescents has reduced opportunities for unstructured play that fosters essential social skills. Similarly, he pointed to Anne Case and Angus Deaton’s work on “deaths of despair,” highlighting how job losses not only create economic hardship but also dissolve community bonds formed through workplace activities.
Countries such as Japan and the United Kingdom have responded by appointing ministers dedicated to combating loneliness. In Japan, about three percent of people aged 15–64 are classified as hikikomori—those who remain socially withdrawn for six months or more. South Korea has introduced financial incentives for young adults to leave their homes and reconnect socially.
Holst expressed concern about the impact of AI chatbots on human connection: “If somebody’s lonely, a chatbot might alleviate that feeling, but it certainly doesn’t solve the root problem.” He noted that consumer habits increasingly enable solitary behavior; for example, most restaurant orders are now takeout rather than dine-in experiences.
Interactions with neighbors and acquaintances—so-called “loose ties”—are crucial for building tolerance and negotiating differences within diverse societies. The decline in these everyday encounters may make it harder for citizens to function effectively in a democracy.
Holst emphasized there is no simple solution because causes vary across age groups and circumstances. Effective interventions may include banning cell phones from schools or investing in public spaces like libraries and senior centers. In healthcare settings, addressing undiagnosed hearing loss among seniors or prescribing social activities can help mitigate isolation.
Community initiatives such as Zimbabwe’s friendship benches—where elders offer support to younger people struggling with mental health—provide models for reducing isolation across generations.
Poorly designed policies can also worsen disconnection by undermining community structures or prioritizing efficiency over opportunities for interaction. Holst encourages future policy makers to consider how their decisions affect social cohesion: “One of my primary teaching objectives is to get McCourt students to ask habitually, ‘How will my preferred policy affect social cohesion?’”
He described his own efforts at Georgetown University: keeping his office door open has facilitated informal conversations with colleagues and helped build relationships over time.
However, Holst acknowledged that individuals often face limits beyond their control; broader collective action may be necessary when it comes to issues like children’s phone use if families do not act together.
