Gaby Baizas is a journalist and researcher from the Philippines. She writes about social media, online culture, and false narratives that spread across digital spaces. When she’s not working, she creates false narratives of her own by fantasising about things that will never happen.

In the face of economic crises, climate anxieties, and global wars, people are seeking solace through connection. They want to be sure someone will hold their hand in the face of hardship. As a result, they have higher expectations of care and understanding from interactions with brands, social systems, and people. Many no longer see emotional intelligence as a pleasant add-on – it has become a default expectation.

If Pantone's colour of the year for 2024 is anything to go by – Peach Fuzz, a hue that 'echoes our innate yearning for closeness and connection' – it's that community and understanding are increasingly valued as a bedrock of resilience in building a more empathetic and interconnected society. As the loneliness pandemic spreads across the globe, people are prioritising companionship. What's more, they aren't afraid to turn to technology to fill the void, engaging with AI chatbots for emotional gratification as much as practical services. AI promises the rise of artificial empathy and an overhaul of care structures, including elderly care and parenting – and people are ready to embrace it to mitigate the ongoing crisis.

As social media has simultaneously boosted emotional honesty and knocked self-esteem, mental health issues are on the rise and support systems need reinforcement. More than 70% of Americans feel failed by the healthcare system, and in the UK, the NHS waitlist rose to a record 7.75 million in late 2023. With countries like the UK and France raising retirement ages, the demand for long-term care has increased, prompting people to seek alternative solutions – from telemedicine to community-based care programs – to address the pressing care crisis. The very notion of care is in flux. In this context, people are turning to brands and public figures for a helping hand, from BetterHelp and Gymshark offering free care to those that need it to Megan thee Stallion and Olivia Rodrigo using their platforms to democratise access to care for marginalised communities.

Everyday Empathy

From decentralised autonomous organisations (DAOs)  run on Discord to city-wide mutual aid groups, people are finding safety and optimism in numbers. For growing numbers of people, collective action is emerging as the only viable solution to compounding crises and deepening alienation.

World Builders

Dr. Mary K. Alvord is a psychologist with more than 40 years of clinical experience and the founder of Alvord, Baker & Associates. She specializes in treating children, adolescents, and adults using evidence-based therapies, primarily cognitive behavior therapies (CBT). Dr. Alvord holds the position of Adjunct Associate Professor of Psychiatry and Behavior Sciences at The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences and is a Fellow of the American Psychological Association, the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies (ABCT) and Clinical Fellow of the Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA). She is the founder of a charitable non-profit, Resilience Across Borders. Dr. Alvord is co-author of

 The Action Mindset Workbook for Teens: Simple CBT Skills to Help You Conquer Fear and Self-Doubt and Take Steps Toward What Really Matters.

United States

Home and Relationships

Parenting

Semrush

Marketing Charts

Social Media Today

Search Engine Land

PC Mag

The Conversation

Gallup

Pew Research Center

Social Champ

YouGov

Forbes

Interview with Dr. Mary K. Alvord conducted by the author

EMarketer

American Psychological Association

DataReportal

Good Morning America

With social media an integral part of digital natives’ growth and development, the social news and networking platform Reddit stands out for its diverse communities and engaging discussions. The platform provides a space for US teens who are too afraid to talk about sensitive topics with parents.