01/23/2023
Why are Americans spending more time alone?
Americans are spending more time alone, according to an analysis of the U.S. Census Bureau’s "American Time Use Survey." The time Americans spend with friends dropped from an average of six and a half hours a week in 2010 to less than three hours in 2021. And, the number of hours Americans spent alone each week increased from an average of less than 40 hours in 2014 to nearly 48 hours a week in 2021.
■Class discussion: Do you have any idea of how much time you spend alone or with friends in a week? Does using technology like cell phones or computers reduce the amount of time you spend with other people? Is communicating with friends on social media better or worse than talking to them in person? Are you comfortable spending time alone? Does it ever make you feel lonely? What do you do to cope with any feelings of loneliness?