Because Gen Z has not had the “experience of making new friends at work that they really can draw on and leverage to keep them feeling socially connected”, says Dr. Miriam Kirmayer, young people are fundamentally changing their approaches to how they connect.

Dr. Miriam Kirmayer, clinical psychologist and friendship expert, provides answers for how the pandemic may affect friendships.

“Sometimes, these actions are not coming from a place of rebellion but from loneliness, desperation, or necessity,” explains Dr. Miriam Kirmayer.