Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment he has made of the potential link between loneliness and levels of well-being among young people.
The Office for National Statistics report on ‘Children’s and young people’s experiences of loneliness’, published in December 2018, found evidence that children who reported “low” satisfaction with their health said they “often” felt lonely. This study also reported qualitative evidence of the impact of mental ill health on loneliness and individuals ability to overcome loneliness.
ONS’s study also found that young people who reported low life satisfaction, happiness and worthwhile scores and high anxiety scores were more likely to report higher levels of loneliness.
The Children’s Society has found strong links between loneliness and well-being. Their recently published report also found that relationships are the most important factor in children’s well-being.