meta_pixel
Tapesearch Logo
Log in
On Point with Meghna Chakrabarti

Why Americans are spending less time with friends — and what to do about it

On Point with Meghna Chakrabarti

WBUR

Talk Show, News, On Point, Daily, Npr

4.33.9K Ratings

🗓️ 20 December 2022

⏱️ 48 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

Americans are spending more time alone and less time with friends, according to a Census Bureau survey. We hear what's behind the drop in time spent with friends, and why it’s important to reverse the trend.

Transcript

Click on a timestamp to play from that location

0:00.0

This episode is brought to you by Slack. With Slack, you can bring all your people and

0:05.8

tools together in one place. It's your digital HQ where you can increase productivity,

0:11.0

enable flexibility and automate workflows. Plus, Slack is full of game-changing features,

0:16.8

like huddles for quick check-ins or Slack Connect, which helps you connect with partners

0:20.9

inside and outside of your company. Slack, where the future works. Get started at Slack.com

0:27.8

Slash DHQ.

0:31.4

This episode is brought to you by Lionsgate Plus. Great entertainment is a crucial ingredient

0:36.6

for the perfect night in, and Lionsgate Plus offers you the kind of entertainment that

0:41.0

sets your pulse racing and keeps you glued firmly to the edge of your seat. They've got

0:45.5

nail-biting exclusive shows, mind-blowing original series and heart racing movies.

0:51.1

For entertainment that makes you feel, it lives on Lionsgate Plus. Download the app and

0:56.8

go to LionsgatePlus.com.

1:02.6

This is on point. I'm Megna Trockrobardi. Americans are lonely. We are spending less time

1:08.7

with friends and more time on our own. Now, don't take my word for it. Take your own

1:14.3

word for it. Ten years ago, yeah, I was spending a lot more time with my friends on a weekly

1:22.0

basis. It's much more difficult to make friends in 2022, almost 2023. Trying to keep up with

1:32.0

the kind of friendships that are in the show friends and other, you know, how I met

1:37.1

your mother is a little unrealistic. It's just hard to get together. Social groups aren't

1:42.9

as active or as convenient anymore. And if it's a choice between on a Saturday going and

1:49.4

doing something with my friends or taking my kid to a kid's activity, then he does. We're

1:54.4

going to load up the car and go to soccer practice. My friends aren't accessible or they've

2:00.0

just disappeared. Some on-point listeners, they're coast to coast and across the rest of

...

Please login to see the full transcript.

Disclaimer: The podcast and artwork embedded on this page are from WBUR, and are the property of its owner and not affiliated with or endorsed by Tapesearch.

Generated transcripts are the property of WBUR and are distributed freely under the Fair Use doctrine. Transcripts generated by Tapesearch are not guaranteed to be accurate.

Copyright © Tapesearch 2026.