YPulse Trend Report: Friend Request

The narrative around young consumers and technology is that it isolates them—but Gen Z and Millennials see tech as essential to maintaining their friendships. In fact, the majority of 13-35-year-olds say that technology is very/extremely important in helping them stay close to friends. In their experiences, social and chat platforms are major parts of navigating and building relationships, and from Snap streaks to Instagram comments, digital interactions have become integral parts of being friends as a young person today. More and more of their time with friends is spent in digital spaces, and new tools to hang out with friends virtually are being created all the time. We explored the digitalization of friendships and social lives among these young generations to find out what role digital platforms are playing, and how technology has become an essential piece of their friend groups.