Why redefining loneliness is essential in a post-digital era — and how young people can help us do it. 

 

Loneliness is Rising – But It’s Not About Being Alone 

Young Australians are lonelier than ever. According to national data, the proportion of 15–24-year-olds experiencing loneliness has steadily increased over the past two decades, especially since 2008 (HILDA, 2024). But this isn’t about being alone in the traditional sense. 

Research from the Victorian Health Promotion Foundation and Swinburne University highlights that loneliness is not just physical isolation — it’s a subjective experience. It’s the sense of feeling disconnected, misunderstood, or emotionally unsupported — even in the presence of others. 

 

Well-Connected, But Not Deeply Connected 

Our Youth Omnibus survey of 1,000 Australians aged 14–25 echoes this. When asked what loneliness feels like, most didn’t mention being alone — instead, they spoke about: 

  • Feeling disconnected even when surrounded by people (37%) 
  • Lacking close or meaningful friendships (35%) 
  • Feeling like they don’t belong or fit in (34%) 
  • Feeling unseen or unimportant (33%) 

These findings align with the broader research: young people today are socially connected — often hyperconnected — but may still struggle to build deeper emotional bonds. 

 

FOMO and the Pressure to Stay Connected 

Fear of Missing Out (FOMO) seems to play a role in this. Young people told us they feel left out if they miss a hangout, an inside joke, or a fun moment shared by their friends. They want to know what’s happening all the time, and if they can’t — even for a short while — they feel emotionally cut off. 

This suggests a new kind of loneliness: one where connection is expected to be constant, and the absence of it — even briefly — creates distress. 

 

A Glimpse into a World Without Constant Connection 

We asked these same young Australians to imagine life in the 1990s, before the internet, smartphones, or social media.
What would they miss most? and they said: 

 

Instant contact with friends and family 

“Being able to call my mates anytime I want.” 

“All the social media I use to talk to my friends.” 

“A sense of social contact with my friends and peers.” 

 

Access to information and entertainment 

“Access to basically any information at any time.” 

“Being able to choose what I watch.” 

“An easy fix to my boredom.” 

 

What stood out was the emotional undertone: the fear of disconnection, of not being “in the loop.” For many, the idea of being unreachable — even for a few hours — felt like something they’d genuinely struggle with. 

 

Coping with Loneliness in a Digital Age 

When they feel lonely, young Australians turn to familiar coping mechanisms: 

  • Watching TV shows or movies (48%) 
  • Going for a walk or exercising (36%) 
  • Reaching out to friends or family (32%) 
  • Spending time on social media or online communities (28%) 

Yet only a small group seek professional help (9%), and a similar number say they do nothing at all. These responses highlight something important: while young people may be constantly connected, that doesn’t always translate into feeling supported or understood. 

 

Redefining Loneliness for the Post-Digital Generation 

The challenges of the post-digital era are different — and young people are the ones living them in real time. While previous generations might have experienced loneliness in the absence of company, today’s young people can feel lonely in the middle of a group chat. 

Rather than trying to fit young people into old definitions of loneliness and isolation, we need to listen to them, learn from their lived experiences, and work alongside them to redefine what loneliness means in this new context. 

Only then can we start building the kind of emotional, social, and community support systems that truly make a difference.