Yes, I'd say it's nearly as tough to make real friends (as opposed to your typical fake, materialistic "friends") as it is to get a date these days. Everyone is closed off and anti-social. People are weirded out by organic, IRL conversations and are more comfortable communicating through the screen on their phones.
People today are too fake and hyper competitive to form real bonds. You're much more likely to find someone who's "friends" with you because you're a convenient utility, than it is to find friends who care to make meaningful connections with you. The days of camaraderie and going to war and fighting with and for the boys when shit gets real are completely over. Now, the only way you'll get that is through something like the army, and even that is because of the heavy indoctrination. Not even gang life is going to give you that anymore, since you're more likely to just get killed by people you call brothers.
@gymletethnicel