ARTE Europe Weekly: Why are Europe's Youth So Lonely?

The World Health Organisation says that teenagers and young adults suffer from loneliness far more than people over the age of 60. This is more than a societal issue – it also poses a risk to our democracy. Loneliness makes people more susceptible to right-wing populist ideology, misogynistic and racist ideas and conspiracy theories.

So why are young people – who are arguably more connected than any generation before them – so lonely? Are smartphones and social media to blame? And what can be done to improve the situation?

This programme is produced by the European platform ARTE and available in 10 languages through the European media partnership BEAM. The hub is coordinated by ARTE and includes Balkan Insight (BIRN), Sinopsis (BIRN Romania), El País (ES), Gazeta Wyborcza (PL), Internazionale (IT), Ir (LV), Kathimerini (GR), Le Soir (BE) and Telex (HU). The partnership receives EU-funding following DG CNECT’s call for European Media Hubs within the framework of the EU’s Multimedia Actions.