The Gen Z Stare and the Future of Socialising
48% of Irish people now find it harder to connect face to face – and the Gen Z Stare is just one sign that social media is making us antisocial
New research from Jailbird Communications reveals the unsocial side of social media and how it’s affecting Ireland’s population. Despite being more connected than ever thanks to social media, a staggering 65% of people feel online communities are replacing real-life relationships. As a result, nearly half (48%) of people say it’s now harder to connect face to face. So are we losing our ability to socialise as a result of social media?
Digital Connection vs Real World Impact
The Gen Z Stare - a blank, expressionless look when asked a question or to do a task - has gone viral, not just for what it is, but for the heated debate it’s sparked online about changing social habits.
Searches for the term have quadrupled in Ireland alone over the last number of weeks. Some see it as rudeness or apathy, but the roots may run deeper: a generation raised online, with two formative years spent in isolation.
It's not just Gen Z. The research shows that 67% of the Silent Generation, 60% of Boomers, and 70% of Gen X also feel online communities are replacing real-life connections.
The illusion of connection - connected in a false reality
The internet helps people to build real-life relationships by finding communal events like Tabhair Aire or Slan Solas online, but it also creates barriers.
French sociology professor David Le Breton explains in a piece for Le Monde that “the face embodies the morality of interaction” and that social networks appeal because they offer distance and less accountability.
A January 2025 BMC Psychology study among college students also showed that heavy social media use reduces time spent in real‑life support networks and can undermine mental well-being. Our overreliance on social media depletes regular human-to-human eye contact, touch and connection, which are vital components of social interaction, building relationships, trust, and understanding.
Our Take - Reclaiming social connection
At Jailbird, we believe the first step to reconnecting is acknowledging the disconnect. Social media offers valuable platforms, from trans and neurodiverse communities finding support to niche interests forming new bonds, but its real power comes when online contact leads to real-world connection.
We’re seeing a marked rise in community-led, in-person activities: breathwork sessions, book clubs, sea swims, crafting and running groups. People are seeking belonging, not broadcast. Smart brands and cultural commentators are paying attention.
Speaking on the findings, Luke Reilly, Communications Director at Jailbird said:
“We’re not just looking at a Gen Z phenomenon, but a seismic cultural shift in how people are communicating. Social media has changed how we interact across every generation. Our data shows that it’s not just 20-somethings struggling to connect, but 80-year-olds too. It’s time we stopped blaming young people and started asking bigger questions about the way we live, socialise and build community in a digital-first world…”
Jailbird Communications is a dynamic PR and social communications agency, committed to delivering creative, results-driven solutions without marketing jargon. To learn more, visit jailbird.ie.
Sources and Data
Jailbird collaborated with Censuswide to conduct a survey of Irish adults aged 16+ to establish how this generation socialises in modern Ireland. Full survey data is available upon request.