What in the World - Feeling lonely? Come on a friendship date with us

Download Feeling lonely? Come on a friendship date with us

Loneliness is a feeling lots of us face from time to time… and it might be more common than you think. A new study from the World Health Organisation suggests that between 2014 and 2023, one in six of us were feeling lonely - and teenage girls reported feeling this way the most. Apps like Bumble BFF or Meetup and social media groups dedicated to meeting new people are also on the rise. So why are so many of us feeling lonely? And what can you do to feel more connected?

BBC journalist Emilia Jansson takes us on a friendship date, sharing her experience of using social media to make new friends and helping us to unpack the data on loneliness. We also hear from teenagers around the world who describe when they’ve felt lonely. And Dr Laurie Santos, a psychologist professor at Yale University in the US, tells us her top tips for tackling loneliness.

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Presenter: Iqra Farooq
Producers: Mora Morrison and Chelsea Coates
Editor: Emily Horler

Published on Monday, 14th July 2025.

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