A recent report from the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) highlights a growing crisis of loneliness and declining social connections among young people in England aged 11 to 24. The study reveals that members of Generation Z and older Generation Alpha cohorts have fewer friends than previous generations and report lower satisfaction with their social relationships. Notably, one in twenty young people in this age group say they have no friends at all.

The IPPR’s findings build on earlier research pointing to declines in youth wellbeing, exacerbated by factors such as the COVID-19 pandemic, rising housing costs, limited entry-level employment opportunities, student debt, and austerity measures. Interviews conducted as part of the study revealed widespread concerns over the future and difficulties with concentration, which many young people linked to extensive social media use. “Doomscrolling” emerged as a common pastime among respondents.

The report also critiques the role of technology companies, describing a "deference to unaccountable tech oligarchs" as part of a broader failure by policymakers to address youth needs. However, it situates these issues within a larger socioeconomic context, emphasizing how systemic challenges, including the steep rise in housing deposits—now averaging £78,000—and restricted access to social housing, disproportionately impact young people without family wealth. The authors characterize homeownership before one’s mid-30s as increasingly dependent on inheritance, while many young people remain reliant on parental homes or private rentals.

Despite some initiatives by the Labour Party aimed at increasing housing availability, the report calls for more comprehensive measures to improve economic prospects and social stability for younger generations. It describes the current state of affairs as a broken social contract that demands urgent repair.

The IPPR stresses that adolescence, inherently a challenging time involving transitions from school and family, depends heavily on strong peer support. The weakening of social bonds among youth is seen not in isolation, but as a symptom of broader societal shifts linked to neoliberal policies that have eroded collectivism and community structures.

Addressing the underlying causes will require multifaceted policy responses. Suggested interventions include reforms in housing, labor markets—such as regulation around artificial intelligence in recruitment—and enhanced focus on generational equity. Together, these measures could help rebuild a more supportive environment for under-25s, fostering better wellbeing and social connectedness.