Teenagers are growing more sober, but less social
Image: Your Teen
America’s teens are increasingly saying “no thanks” to alcohol, showing far lower rates of drinking compared to their parents’ generation.
But the trend may be something larger than drinking habits, reflecting a deeper shift in how young people socialize, date, and experience growing up.
By the numbers: Teen drinking has been steadily falling since the 1990s, according to the University of Michigan’s long-running Monitoring the Future study. But the decline has accelerated sharply in recent years.
- In 2025, 41% of 12th graders reported drinking alcohol within the past year, down from 75% in 1997.
- Among 10th graders, the figure fell from 65% to 24%, while drinking among 8th graders dropped from 46% to just 11%.
The decline also doesn’t appear to be driving teens toward other drugs. Instead, growing shares of young Americans are abstaining from substances altogether, with 8th and 10th graders reaching historic highs for non-use this year.
There are two main explanations
Some experts point to Gen Z’s growing obsession with wellness and self-optimization. Between fitness trackers, GLP-1 drugs, sleep scores, and the rise of “looksmaxxing” culture online, many young Americans are increasingly treating their bodies less like party machines and more like long-term projects.
- But researchers say Gen Z is also socializing differently than previous generations, spending far more time interacting through screens and less time hanging out face-to-face.
- This shift accelerated during the pandemic and rise of social media.
Economic pressures may also play a role. One recent survey found over half of young men (53%) and women (54%) didn’t spend any money on dates each month, while many Gen Z adults continue living with parents longer due to rising housing costs and student debt burdens.
Zoom out: Researchers increasingly describe Gen Z largely as a group of “late bloomers.” Compared to previous generations, today’s young Americans are waiting longer to drink, date, have sex, get driver’s licenses, move out, and reach other traditional adulthood milestones, while reporting record levels of loneliness and poor mental health.
📊 Flash poll: In general, do you think the recent rise of teen sobriety across America due to various factors is a positive or negative trend?
See a 360° view of what pundits are saying →
Sprinkles from the Left
- Some commentators argue that the only people who are upset about Gen Z drinking less and trending towards sobriety are the liquor companies losing money and people who don’t know how to mind their business.
- Others contend that laws aimed at youth behavior succeed when norms move with them, and stall when norms move against them, so any attempt to protect kids from the harms of social media should come alongside tools meant to change norms, like free or reduced concert tickets, transit credits, or other discounts.
- “Gen Z is a less-drunken generation. How is that bad?” –Sara Pequeño, USA Today
- “There Is a Better Way to Get Kids Off Screens” –Leonardo Bursztyn and Cass R. Sunstein, NY Times
- “Gen Z has become lonely and antisocial. We have only ourselves to blame.” –Dace Potas, USA Today
Sprinkles from the Right
- Some commentators argue that while no one is saying that alcohol is healthy, its association with dinners, celebrations, gatherings and nights out with friends may offer a greater social benefit that the anti-alcohol movement overlooks. And to rebuild social participation, we need more cultural encouragement to get people out and join others in environments they will actually enjoy—which often features drinking.
- Others contend that the two major forces driving troubling trends among teens are the persistent aftereffects of Covid and social media isolation. They also say adults created this era of digital dependency, and must now encourage teens back into meaningful engagement with the real world.
- “The loneliness behind Gen Z’s sobriety” –Rick Berman, Washington Times
- “Depression, isolation and substance use all are up. Are Illinois teens OK?” –Chicago Tribune Editorial Board
- “Why Generation Z Doesn’t Drink Much” –Wall Street Journal student submissions
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