There has been lots of research about young people and loneliness over the last decade. In this article, we share some of the stats and facts from various different reports.
It’s important to remember that you’re not alone if you feel lonely.
There is a lot of research that shows how many young people report feeling lonely and how often they feel this way:
- The Office for National Statistics in 2018 found that 9.8% of 16 – 24 year olds said that they were “often lonely”
- The Office for National Statistics in 2018 found that 11.3% of 10 – 15 year olds said that they were “often lonely”
- The Loneliness Experiment conducted by the BBC found that 40% of 16 – 24 year-olds said they feel lonely often or very often
The Causes of Loneliness
There are many different reasons someone might feel lonely. A State of the Generation Report by the Mental Health Foundation found some of the reasons that young people report loneliness or poor mental health are:
- 29% of young adults say where they live has a negative effect on their mental health
- 27% of young people say they often feel they lack companionship
- 20% say they do not feel they have a trusted adult to go to for advice and support if they are experiencing a problem
Other causes may include:
- being bullied
- finding it hard to make friends
- moving house, schools, university or job
- losing someone close to you
- having an illness or disability
- the ending of a relationship or friendship.
Research by LGBT Youth Scotland found that 71% of LGBT young people experienced bullying in school on the grounds of being LGBT.
The Impacts of Loneliness
The Mental Health Foundation found in 2018 that more than half of 18-24 year olds experience depression when they feel lonely, with 42% saying it leads to anxiety and 67% saying their mental health worsens as a result of feeling lonely.
The research also found that the stigma of loneliness remains the greatest barrier to getting help. With 46% saying they would be too embarrassed to talk about it and 52% feel they ought to cope with the problem themselves.
Loneliness can contribute to stress, anxiety, depression, paranoia and cognitive decline – and it can be both a cause and effect of other mental health problems.
The Role of Social Media
Research by the Mental Health Foundation found in 2018 that 30% of 18-24 year olds say social media is driving them to feel socially isolated .
Research by the charity found 82% of young people say that spending time face-to-face with others improves their mental health. In contrast, 30% say that technology, such as social media, is causing them to feel lonely as it has replaced face-to-face contact.
However, it’s also important to recognise the benefits of social media, it’s important to stay connected to others, seek positive feedback and find support.
If you’re feeling lonely and need support, there are a range of organisations that can support you over the phone, e-mail, text and webchat. Visit our #AyeFeel page to find out more.
Find more information and support on loneliness or feeling alone.