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Number of young people with no close friends has soared since 2014 in England
UK NewsHealth•September 1, 2026 at 8:00 AMNational

Number of young people with no close friends has soared since 2014 in England

By Denis Campbell Health policy editor•The Guardian - UK News

Data paints sobering picture of 11- to 24-year-olds growing up in ‘bleak world’ shaped by pandemic and social mediaThe number of young people with no close friends has risen fivefold since 2014 as a result of growing up in a “bleak world” dominated by austerity, the pandemic and social media.New research paints a sobering picture of how 11- to 24-year-olds in England are increasingly lonely, isolated and “disconnected” from themselves, peers and wider society. Continue reading...

Data paints sobering picture of 11- to 24-year-olds growing up in ‘bleak world’ shaped by pandemic and social media

The number of young people with no close friends has risen fivefold since 2014 as a result of growing up in a “bleak world” dominated by austerity, the pandemic and social media.

New research paints a sobering picture of how 11- to 24-year-olds in England are increasingly lonely, isolated and “disconnected” from themselves, peers and wider society.

Continue reading...

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