Half of UK teenagers feel lonely or isolated, even though most say they feel supported, according to new research released today (4 November) by The Children’s Society as it launches a campaign to protect the teenage years.
The charity’s Save Teenhood campaign is calling for an expansion of drop-in services, where young people can talk to a trained professional without an appointment.
The campaign is built on a YouGov survey of almost 1,500 teenagers, which found that 50% feel lonely or isolated, even though 81% feel supported. Furthermore, many young people who are struggling do not seek help. Only a third (32%) of teenagers who feel overwhelmed talk to someone about it.
Callum, 20, said: ‘During high school, sometimes you can feel alone, or friendship groups break up for whatever reason. You can start to feel a little bit isolated. It’s important to have those friendships. Because then you’re not feeling alone doing the same things each day, and you’re doing it with others.’
To illustrate the pressure on young people, the charity has created a public installation on London’s South Bank: a phone box filled with hundreds of ringing recycled phones, designed to reflect how overwhelmed today’s teenagers can feel.
The YouGov findings echo those from Children’s Society’s Good Childhood Report 2026, in which 10% of children and young people taking part professed to low wellbeing. School was the aspect of life they were most commonly unhappy with, while rising prices were their main concern about wider society.
The Children’s Society is calling for action built around four areas: people, places, power and pathways. Its recommendations include ensuring young people have trusted adults, access to safe and inclusive spaces, meaningful opportunities to influence local decisions, and routes into activities and support.
Mark Russell, Chief Executive of The Children’s Society, said: ‘It is far too hard to be a teenager in the UK today, and these findings really challenge some of our assumptions about teenage life.
‘Young people are telling us they can have people around them who care and still feel lonely or isolated. Too many teens are dealing with pressure and worries on their own, without somewhere they feel they belong or someone they feel able to talk to.
‘Teenagers tell us they need a safe place they can go without an appointment or referral, someone they trust and expert help when they need it.
‘Through Save Teenhood, we will campaign alongside young people for change and we will push for more drop-in services where teenagers can find support. Young people have told us what is missing, we believe teens in the UK deserve a new deal – it’s time to Save Teenhood.’
Photo: The Children’s Society
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