An increase in loneliness and isolation has some young people seeking new ways to find genuine friendships through face-to-face interaction, and it seems to be working.

Kelowna resident Bailey Zimmer uses an app called Bumble Best Friends to connect with other like-minded women in the city.

“A lot of people say that in adulthood it’s challenging to find like-minded people you have something in common with,” Zimmer told iNFOnew.ca.

“I don’t think it’s hard to make friends, it’s hard to find them. This (app) has brought a lot of people into my life I wouldn’t have crossed paths with otherwise.”

There are other similar platforms available online structured like traditional dating apps, but designed for platonic dates for those seeking meaningful ways to build genuine friendships offline.

Zimmer said it seems like mostly women taking advantage of the apps.

“I told my guy friends about it and they aren’t as enthused as the women I’ve talked to,” she said. “Maybe they’re not as dedicated or bothered to find friends like this. They’re on dating apps, but not the friend ones as much.”

Youth loneliness has been on the rise since 2012, particularly among youth ages 15 to 24 according to the Canadian Mental Health Association, with girls reporting slightly higher rates. Research suggests smartphones and digital media is the cause as it leads to fewer in-person interactions, which are more emotionally beneficial.

Loneliness is linked to mental health challenges, substance use and physical health risks.

Zimmer experienced loneliness when she first arrived to Kelowna a couple of years ago at the age of 24.

“I was an adult in a new city and working from home, there was no socialization,” she said. “I wondered how to make friends as an adult. I wanted real conversations. A lot of people aren’t looking for romance, they’re looking for friendships.”

She made a profile on Bumble Best Friends and has since made one long-term friend and three new ones.

“You create a profile catered to your personality, hobbies and things about yourself,” she said. “I like to swim, camp and be with people. I love to talk and oversharing is my favourite. I want to know everything about a person because I think that’s what makes friendships great.

“I get a lot of responses from people who also love talking. I think really connecting with each other is a such a woman experience. There is no such thing as too much information. I think women love that.”

Zimmer also pointed to high costs as a big reason why there are fewer in-person interactions among the younger generation.

“Things are so expensive right now, it costs a lot of money to go out with friends,” she said. “A lot of times you stay home and just pay your rent and buy groceries. You don’t always have extra funds to do extra stuff like go out drinking like people used to do.

“People aren’t going out as much anymore, they’re not meeting people in real life as much anymore.”

A lot of the dates Zimmer goes on are either inexpensive or free. She meets other women for coffee or to run errands, go to the beach or go for walks.

“People are understanding when it comes to not having money and there are a lot of cheap things to do,” she said. “I’ve gone thrifting on these dates and I went to a free country folk swing night on one of my dates.”

As far as safety goes, it isn’t much different than online dating.

“You still have to cautious, so you message them first and meet in a public area at first until you feel comfortable,” Zimmer said. “I usually message people a lot before deciding on a date.”

Sometimes there are dead ends where other women don’t want to put in the effort to continue the conversation, and sometimes the dates are not good fits.

“I’ve gone out with a few girls and we just didn’t flow, but it wasn’t a big deal,” she said. “We didn’t care. We said it was nice to meet you, have a good rest of your night and left it at that.”

This summer a group on Facebook called Okanagan Girls Girls was formed to bring women in their 20s together for group hangouts, beach days, hikes and brunches.

The group was initiated by Kelowna resident Alivia Roylance, 20, who has moved to different cities for jobs and school for the past few years.

“I’ve just found it’s hard to make girlfriends, especially when people my age are coming out of high school and moving around to new places,” she said. “I’m a huge empath and the thought of people feeling lonely literally breaks my heart and I don’t want anyone to feel like that.”

Like other young people, Roylance has spent most of her life communicating on digital media.

“There’s a disconnect there. I wish I grew up in a time when there weren’t phones, it was pure and organic,” she said.

“This group is about getting people out of their houses, getting outside and doing things together.”

Since the group was created at the end of July, more than 700 women have joined. Members post photos of themselves, along with their interests, and reach out to one another.

“I wasn’t expecting that many, I’m honestly surprised and happy it’s turning out,” she said. “I’m planning group meets for all of us to mingle. It’s just a good community of girls in a world where we all need each other more than ever.”

Go here to join the Facebook group Okanagan Girls Girls.