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What a Fun Night with Friends Looks like For Gen Z

Gen Z hasn’t abandoned socializing and going out—they’ve just redefined what a night out looks like…

Written and Edited by the YPulse Editorial Team

Aug 18 2026
North America

KEY TAKEAWAYS

Despite what headlines declare, Gen Z hasn’t stopped hanging out with their friends—they just make different plans than older gens
Playing video games is the number one activity Gen Z does with friends for a fun night together
Traditional nights out involving drinking, bars, dancing, and parties are still part of Gen Z’s social lives

Headlines love to paint Gen Z as the “loneliest gen that no longer likes to have fun.” From “Generation Z chooses ‘bed rot’ over real life” and “Gen Z is spending weekends alone in their PJs instead going out to have fun,” to the claim that “it’s scientifically proven that Gen Z prefers to stay at home rather than go out” the narrative is pretty consistent: Gen Z is ushering in a new anti-social era that previous gens have never seen before. Well, news flash: These headlines are dragging it (as usual). Gen Z isn’t friendless, and they certainly haven’t...