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Everyone Is Sick Of Dating Apps — So They're Turning To 'Friendship Apps'
Our phones have made us lonelier. These apps promise to find us a BFF.
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The Lede
Before the pandemic there was a rise in the celebration of canceling plans, as showcased by viral social media posts and several articles unpacking the psychology behind the act. The backlash from the self-involved era is in full swing. Turns out, people want friends. Friendship apps feel like the next iteration of online dating, which normalized the virtual meet-cute. But they're having a moment as more young people feel burned out by the churn of commodified romance.
Key Details
- Former US surgeon general, Dr. Vivek Murthy called loneliness an epidemic in 2023, highlighting the serious physical health risks and financial costs of isolation.
- When you look at the increasing ways people are trying to study and understand the science of making friends, the idea of using algorithms doesn't seem so far-fetched.
- With apps like 222 and Timeleft, the algorithms may matter less than the buy-in: The apps gather people who want to make new friends and then push them to follow up.
