Europe

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

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

This story summarizes reporting from The Guardian. Read the original for full context. Wire items stay in our news sitemap for seven days. Editorial policy.

Read full story on The Guardian →

Denis Campbell Health policy editor1 Sept 2026, 07:00 amUpdated 1d ago1 min readEuropeUnited Kingdom

United Kingdom — Denis Campbell Health policy editor

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

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.

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.

This report is published with credit to The Guardian. The wire sent a summary; open the original for any extra context. Read on The Guardian →

Source: The Guardian · Denis Campbell Health policy editor. Published 1 Sept 2026, 07:00 am.

Next news → EU summons Russian envoy over failed Leipz…Browse more stories

Keep reading

Most relevant

EU summons Russian envoy over failed Leipzig drone attack

The EU's foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said the attempted attack had "all the hallmarks of state-sponsored terrorism." She said the EU was summoning a Russian envoy, with France announcing a similar step.

Read on Deutsche Welle →

Editor’s choice

From the archive: ‘Drought is on the verge of becoming the next pandemic’ – podcast

We are raiding the Guardian long read archives to bring you some classic pieces from years past, with new introductions from the authors.

Read on The Guardian →

Also developing

US Postal Service whistleblower warns new system could disrupt midterm election voting

A US Postal Service whistleblower has warned that a new ballot-processing system ordered by President Donald Trump and due to launch Tuesday could prevent millions of Americans from receiving mail ballots ahead of November's midterm elections.

Read on France 24 →

Back to the desk

info@ebenezerdigital.com +91 98944 96560 WhatsApp

Privacy · Terms · Sitemap