- One in five (19%) Brits aged 18-24 actively use social sites and apps to make new friends.
- Nearly two thirds (64%) of 25–29-year-olds plan to use 1:1 video chats within the next six months.
- Almost a quarter of 25–29-year-olds (24%) use social sites and apps to connect with people outside of their existing network.
- Of those, 25% use them specifically to forge committed, long-term friendships. 19% of Gen-Z aged 18-24 say they use these platforms to meet and learn about what other people are doing around the world.
As digital messaging becomes the backbone of modern life, young Brits are increasingly turning to social and video chat platforms to build real, meaningful connections – and they’re leading the world in doing so.
New research from global video chat platform, Azar, reveals that nearly one in five (19%) Brits aged 18-24 actively use social sites and apps to make new friends.
And it’s not just about expanding their social circles locally, the same amount (19%) say they use these platforms to meet and learn about what other people are doing around the world. This marks a noticeable rise from just 13% in 2024 – highlighting a growing curiosity among young people about global cultures and lifestyles.
This trend is strongest among those in their mid-to-late twenties, with nearly a quarter of 25–29-year-olds (24%) using social sites and apps to connect with people outside of their existing networks. Of those, 25% use them specifically to forge committed, long-term friendships – rather than just casual acquaintances.
This level of intentional social connection places 25–29-year-olds in the UK ahead of any other country surveyed – including the US, Germany, France and Korea.
Meanwhile, 23% of Brits in this age group say they use these platforms to connect and learn about what others are doing globally.
“Designed to foster authentic connections, Azar’s tools and technology help facilitate more safe and meaningful interactions”, says Sunki Kim, Vice President and Head of Azar at Hyperconnect. “Whether it’s cultivating friendship, emotional support, or even career motivation, our mission is to help people create genuine global interactions.”
In the quest for connection, one-to-one video chats are rapidly gaining popularity among young adults in the UK. Nearly two thirds (64%) of 25–29-year-olds plan to use 1:1 video chats within the next six months, up from 49% in 2024, representing a year-on-year increase of 15 percent.
The trend is also strong among Gen Z, with nearly half (48%) of 18-24-year-olds indicating they are likely to use 1:1 video chats in the next six months.
This highlights a shift toward more personal, intimate digital communication, as young Brits increasingly prioritise meaningful face-to-face connections over group chats or social scrolling.
22-year-old Laura, from the UK, has noted that this new wave of online connection found though Azar has been life-changing, creating a shared space of emotional and educational intimacy.
Laura (alias), aged 22, says: “One night, I connected with someone from another country, I think it was Türkiye, and we ended up talking for over an hour. What started off as small talk quickly turned into a deep conversation about mental health, relationships, and personal struggles. That’s what I’ve come to appreciate about Azar. It gives you this unique space where you can talk to someone without baggage, without expectation. It’s like therapy in disguise sometimes – especially when you’re not looking for anything serious but end up getting something meaningful.”
With more young Brits using social platforms to build genuine friendships, Azar turns short video conversations into the foundation for lasting, meaningful relationships.
Making real connections starts here. With just one tap, you can meet people from across the globe, all from the comfort of your home. Designed to foster authentic connections, Azar’s tools and technology help facilitate more safe and meaningful interactions. Start chatting now.