Most youngsters ‘lonely’ as cost of living hits social life

MORE than 90 per cent of children and young people feel lonely, a survey has found, as the cost of living crisis affects their social life.

Researchers found that many young people say not having the money to take part in activities is having a negative impact on how lonely they feel.

A survey of 2,000 people aged between 10 and 25 by the Co-op’s charity, the Co-op Foundation, found that 95 per cent said they felt lonely. This marks a six percentage point increase in the past 12 months.

More than half (55 per cent) of those describing themselves as lonely said not being able to afford to take part in activities affected how they felt.

The charity raised concerns about how the cost of living crisis will further affect young people in the coming months as wages continue to fall for young workers in real terms.

Nick Crofts, chief executive of the Co-op Foundation, said: “Young people will need help from parents, guardians, teachers and employers alike as the UK tightens the purse strings through a difficult winter.”

Two thirds of respondents (62 per cent) said feeling lonely makes them lose confidence.