Loneliness and young people
Why are one third of the under 30s lonely?
Loneliness is a common experience that can affect people of all ages, genders, and backgrounds. However, recent data from ONS shows that young people have been consistently more likely to experience loneliness than older adults.
The graphic shows that younger adults aged 16-29 are the most likely to feel lonely and that the incidence of loneliness decreases with age. Why is that?
In this article we explore the reasons why young people are more likely to be lonely than older adults. It will examine the impact of social support, social media, changing social norms, and mental health on loneliness in young people.
Percentage of adults reporting they feel lonely always, often, or some of the time by ageband
Source : Public opinions and social trends, Great Britain: personal well-being and loneliness, 22 March to 2 April 2023, ONS. Values are the % at the start of each month.
The lack of social support
One of the primary factors that can contribute to loneliness is a lack of social support. This refers to the relationships and connections that people have with others, including friends, family members, and community members. Social support can provide individuals with a sense of belonging, emotional support, and practical assistance. However, young people may face challenges when it comes to building and maintaining social support networks. They may be more likely to move frequently for university, work, or other reasons, which can make it difficult to establish lasting relationships.
Additionally, young people may be more likely to experience social isolation due to their life circumstances. For example, they may be studying or working in a new city where they don't know anyone, or they may be in a long-distance relationship. These circumstances can make it challenging to build and maintain social connections, which can lead to feelings of loneliness.
The Impact of social media
Another factor that can contribute to loneliness in young people is the use of social media. While social media platforms can help young people connect with others, they can also contribute to feelings of loneliness and social isolation.
Research suggests that spending three hours or more on social media increases the risk of psychological issues such as mental health problems and loneliness. In addition, a negative experience on social media leads to an increase in the feeling of loneliness.
Social media use can create a sense of false intimacy and make it difficult to establish meaningful connections in real life. While young people may have hundreds of "friends" on social media, few of these will constitute close, meaningful relationships. This can lead to a sense of social isolation and disconnection. Additionally, social media use can contribute to feelings of anxiety and FOMO (fear of missing out). Young people often feel pressure to be constantly connected and available online, which can create a sense of anxiety and make it difficult to disconnect and recharge. This constant need to be online and connected can contribute to feelings of loneliness and social isolation.
Changing social norms
The way we socialise and connect with others has changed significantly in recent years, and young people may feel pressure to conform to new social norms. For example, social norms around dating, sex, and relationships have shifted, and young people may feel pressure to engage in casual relationships rather than forming long-term, committed partnerships.
These changing social norms can contribute to feelings of loneliness and social isolation. Young people may feel pressure to conform to new norms, even if they don't align with their values or preferences. This can lead to a sense of disconnection and loneliness.
For many generations the norm was leave school, possibly go to university and then get a job. But the economic downturn means that such a path is hard to follow for some which can add to the feeling of isolation because the interactions around work are not available. Additionally, many young people face pressure to succeed in their careers and may prioritise work over social connections. On top of this, many jobs now require some degree of remote working meaning that in-person contact is minimal. This can exacerbate any sense of isolation and loneliness.
Mental health
About one third of young adults experience mental health challenges, such as depression or anxiety, which can contribute to feelings of loneliness and social isolation.
Mental health challenges can make it difficult to establish and maintain social connections, as individuals may feel disconnected from others and struggle to engage in social activities. Additionally, mental health service are not always sufficient to meet local demand which can make it difficult for young people to reach out for support. This prolongs their exposure to mental health issues and resultant loneliness.
Conclusion
That one third of people aged under 30 feel lonely some or all the time seems shocking. Social media, home working, the economy and the fallout from the pandemic have contributed to a huge number of people feeling isolated and alone. In 2018, the government launched a strategy for tackling loneliness. Part of the strategy was to get a national conversation going to encourage people to reach out for support and be supported. The latest ONS data demonstrates clearly that more needs to be done.
