The loneliness epidemic facing young people

There is a loneliness epidemic affecting young people. A study from the University of Michigan in the United States has found that one in five parents claim their children have no or not enough friends. Generation Alpha (children born between 2010 and 2024) are growing up in a unique set of circumstances that make it harder than ever for them to form valuable friendships. In this blog, we look at some of the factors affecting young people’s socialisation, and how you can help. 

Covid-19

The oldest Gen-Alpha kids were only 10 when the world went into lockdown at the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic. While necessary, lockdown ended up having a big impact on children as it meant they couldn’t socialise with friends or play on the playground. These children re-entered society almost two years later, but had missed out on valuable opportunities to develop their social skills and learn how to interact with the world around them. This has also had an impact on their ability to communicate their feelings, only worsening that sense of isolation. 

Social media 

Social media has allowed us to be more connected than ever. For lots of young people it’s a way to meet like-minded individuals, and in many cases it helps them to feel less lonely. However, it also means children are less likely to hang out in person as they can message or chat on Facetime or Discord. Young people struggle to learn how to read tone or expressions if most of their social interaction is online, making in-person interactions more strained. 

Lack of affordable activities 

Young people often benefit from activities outside of school, giving them more opportunities to meet people. Sometimes, school can be isolating if a child doesn’t feel like they can relate to their peers. Extracurricular activities help children to connect with others who share their interests, or make them feel included and safe.