The number of young people in England reporting no close friends has risen fivefold since 2014, according to new research from the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) published this week. The study indicates that one in 20 young people now fall into this category, with a growing number also expressing unhappiness with the friends they do have.
Factors such as social media, mental health problems, the Covid-19 pandemic, and financial instability are often cited as contributing to this trend. Tess Lavanda, 22, whose YouTube video "I don't have any friends" has been viewed over half a million times, believes people feel relieved that the topic is being discussed.
Pamela Qualter, a scientific expert on child and adolescent loneliness, suggests there are no simple answers but notes a societal reduction in places where young people can practice basic social skills. She highlights that fewer free or cheap places for people to gather, coupled with less disposable income, may hinder the formation of "weak ties" that build into friendships.
Jodie-Leigh Foster from UK Youth observes that the quality of friendships, often playing out on social media, can lead to bullying and isolation. Financial constraints, such as the cost of transport to see friends, and increased anxiety around crowded spaces since the pandemic, also pose challenges for some young people.