Rise in children struggling with loneliness contacting Childline

Rising numbers of children and young people struggling with loneliness are reaching out to Childline for help.

In 2025/26, we delivered 4,893 counselling sessions to children and young people seeking support to cope with loneliness – an annual increase of 7%.

Where age was known, almost half of all counselling sessions (45%) were delivered to teenagers between the ages of 16 to 18.

Some cited fears of being isolated and unable to make friends when going through major life changes, such as moving to university or starting a new job.

Summer can be a particularly difficult time for children and young people dealing with loneliness. Childline counselling sessions last year for the issue peaked in July.

We’re releasing this data in support of Loneliness Awareness Week, an event hosted by Marmalade Trust, which inspires conversations about loneliness and promotes connections across the world.

When discussing loneliness, children across all ages reached out to the service to talk about related issues, including:

• wanting a sense of belonging or connection
• being online contributing to feelings of loneliness, such as seeing their friends post about their lives online or fear of being removed from group chats
• feeling like friends and family are too busy to talk or spend time with them
• becoming lonely as a result of being bullied not knowing where to seek support for loneliness. 

Advice for adults on helping children and young people who might be experiencing loneliness

• Communicate openly: Encourage children to talk about their feelings and listen without judgement.
• Discover what’s causing the problem: Gently explore why they might be feeling this way and validate their emotions.
• Encourage socialising: Help children find opportunities to connect with peers through hobbies, clubs or activities.
• Help them build their confidence: Celebrate their strengths and achievements and remind them of the positive relationships in their lives.
• Build a supportive environment: Loneliness isn’t something that can be resolved with one conversation. It’s important to create an environment of openness where a child can talk to you about their feelings and any struggles they may be facing.  

Advice for children who are struggling with loneliness

• Do things that feel positive: Try your best to take part in activities you enjoy, whether that’s playing a sport, listening to music, reading a book or drawing. Small positive actions really can have a big impact on your mood.  
• Take care of yourself: When you're struggling with difficult feelings, it’s important to continue to prioritise your basic needs such as eating well, staying hydrated and getting enough sleep. Taking care of your body can have a positive impact on your mental health.  
• Try to find ways to socialise: Whether it’s joining a club, connecting with peers at school, or reaching out to a trusted friend, prioritising socialising can help to reduce feelings of loneliness.
• Remember it’s always okay to ask for help: Speak to a trusted adult, a teacher, a friend, or contact Childline. No matter what you’re feeling, you don’t have to go through it alone.