Addressing Teen Loneliness: How to Help

Teens are often busy with school, activities and friends. But teens also often get lonely, and when they do, they may need support and help finding healthy ways to cope with it.

Being lonely can affect teens — and people of other ages — in many ways. Lonely people may feel more stressed. They may feel tired even when they’ve slept. They might stop caring about hygiene and how they look. They might turn to alcohol or drugs to try to feel better. And feeling lonely and negative about life for a long time may contribute to long-term anxiety or depression.

Poor teen mental health is a problem. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention  reports that 40% of American high school students said they had experienced lasting feelings of sadness or despair in the last year. And 20 percent had said they had seriously considered suicide.

A global report by World Health Organization published in 2025 said that 1 in 6 people worldwide are affected by loneliness. The report also revealed that between 17 and 21 percent of people aged 13 to 29 reported feeling lonely, with the highest rates among teenagers. Loneliness is connected to an estimated 100 deaths per hour -- more than 871,000 deaths annually.

Some studies have found that levels of loneliness in teens increased as cellphone and internet use increased. Other researchers have found that some technology-based efforts can help teens feel more connected. This is especially true if they are not getting the support they need in their daily lives.

How teens use technology and social media can impact whether it makes them feel more or less lonely. In some cases, it can expose teens to bullying and harmful content. In other cases, digital connections may provide an outlet of support. Girls, LGBTQ+ youth, and kids of color report some of the highest rates of mental health difficulties. Online channels can help youths who don’t feel safe talking about parts of their identity with those around them.

Loneliness in teens often stems from common things, like:

• Changing schools or moving
• Family upsets
• Fights with friends
• Seeing on social media that friends gathered without them
• Being bullied

Build Support Now

Whatever may be causing teens to feel lonely, there are steps parents and family members, and teens themselves, can take to help. And it’s vital that young people learn healthy ways to deal with feeling lonely.

The behavioral patterns people start in their teens help determine not only their current mental health, but also their chance of having long-term mental health issues during adulthood. Some mental health and social problems either start or peak during adolescence (ages 10 to 17) and young adulthood (ages 18 to 25) years. Because they are still developing mentally and emotionally, teens and young adults are especially sensitive to social pressures.

But teens can build resilience and learn how to make connections at school and home to improve their mental health. Helping them build strong bonds with others can help protect their mental health, a big part of their overall health.

What Can You Do?

Parents and family members can help by:

• Talking openly and honestly with teens
• Helping teens learn how to ask for support
• Showing teens how to make healthy choices
• Spending more time with them
• Sharing activities
• Staying engaged
• Volunteering at their school and talking with teachers

10 Things Teens Can Do for Themselves

There are steps children and teens can take to improve how they feel. It starts by making sure they understand that all people feel lonely sometimes. Mental Health America  suggests encouraging teens to:

1. Help others. Ask for ways to help at school or in the community.
2. Reconnect with friends they may have lost touch with.
3. Try something new. Think about a new hobby or an activity.
4. Explore what might be missing in their life. Finding something to work toward can help them feel stronger.
5. Make time for family. Look beyond those who live in the same household.
6. Watch a favorite funny show or movie. Laughing with familiar characters can make people feel less alone.
7. See if they can turn solo activities into group activities. That could be gaming with others or taking a fun class.
8. Spend time with animals. If they don't have their own pets, see if they can visit with pets that belong to friends or family.
9. Try a supportive app. A therapist or school counselor may be able to recommend which to try. These apps are designed to help teens reach out to others for support. Make sure teens use a safe app.
10. Write down what they love about themselves. That can lead to more positive thoughts.

If self-care steps don’t seem to make a difference, reach out to their doctor. The doctor may be able to help or suggest a therapist, counselor or psychologist who can help.

Sources: Social Connection Linked to Improved Health and Reduced Risk of Early Death,  World Health Organization, 2025; U.S. Teens Need for More Emotional and Social Support,  American Psychological Association, 2025; The Loneliness Myth: Social Media Isn’t the Culprit,  Psychology Today, 2025; Data and Statistics on Children’s Mental Health,  Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2025; Loneliness Is Hard (For Kids And Teens),  Mental Health America