Why Young People Are Socialising Less — and How Fresh Tracks Can Help

In a recent BBC video titled “People Are Partying Less. Here’s Why That’s Worrying,” researchers explored an interesting cultural shift: young people today are going out, meeting up, and socialising far less than previous generations. Nights out have become rarer, and even casual get-togethers are on the decline.

At first glance, that might sound like a harmless change — fewer hangovers, more early nights! But as Katty Kay and Derek Thompson highlight, this trend reflects something deeper: a growing gap in real-world connection.

The Rise of Digital Socialising

With phones, gaming, and social media providing easy ways to stay connected online, many young people now interact through screens far more than in person. Add in the cost of living, safety concerns, and the lingering effects of the pandemic, and it’s no wonder many teens and young adults find it easier to stay in.

But while online connection is convenient, it’s missing something vital: the human warmth, body language, and laughter that come with real shared experiences.

Those unplanned moments — chatting over dinner, cooking together, meeting new people — play a huge part in helping young people build social confidence, communication skills, and resilience.

Why This Matters

Social skills are learned, not inherited. They’re built in everyday moments: through teamwork, conversation, and navigating new social settings.

If young people are socialising less, they may be missing chances to:

• Build confidence with new people

• Develop empathy and teamwork

• Learn to communicate and resolve challenges

• Feel comfortable in unfamiliar environments

These aren’t just “soft skills” — they’re life skills. And they make all the difference when moving to university, starting a job, or working abroad.

How Fresh Tracks Helps Young People Reconnect

At Fresh Tracks, we see this every year. Students arrive on our Chalet Hosting or Off to Uni courses expecting to learn how to cook — and they do — but they leave with so much more.

Our courses are built around real interaction. Students live, cook, and eat together. They share tasks, laugh over kitchen mishaps, but support each other no matter what their experience. In just five days, they go from strangers to supportive friends.

Here’s how our courses help bring back those essential social connections:

Team Cooking & Hosting

Working together in a kitchen or hosting guests demands teamwork, patience, and communication. It teaches young people how to share space, support one another, and work calmly under pressure — all in a friendly, fun environment.

Living Together

Our residential setting gives students a taste of real independence. They learn how to navigate shared living, manage time, and respect each other’s space — the kind of social growth that doesn’t happen behind a screen.

Preparing for Real-World Adventures

Whether they’re heading off to university or planning a ski season abroad, our students learn to step confidently into new environments. They’re equipped not just with practical skills, but with the self-assurance to make friends, adapt, and thrive.

Beyond Cooking — Building Confidence for Life

We often say Fresh Tracks isn’t just a cookery school; it’s a life skills school. Our courses are about giving young people the confidence to connect — to talk, laugh, lead, and live well with others.

In a world where socialising is increasingly digital, these real-world experiences are invaluable.

So while fewer parties might be the new normal, the need for genuine human connection has never been greater. And that’s exactly what we aim to create — one shared meal, one conversation, and one laugh at a time.

Interested in finding out more?
Explore our upcoming Chalet Hosting and Off to Uni courses at www.freshtrackschaletschool.com.