The Phenomenon Of Lonely Children Is Increasing, Psychiatrists Express The Cause

Illustration of boys (Photo: Freepik/jcomp)

JAKARTA - It turns out that loneliness is not only experienced by adults. Currently, more and more children and teenagers feel isolated and lonely. In a report entitled Our Epidemic of Lonely and Isolation in 2023, the former Surgeon General of the United States, Vivek Murthy, wrote that social decisions occurred much more frequently than was realized.

Recent data from the Pew Research Center in 2025 shows 24% of people aged 18'29 feel lonely almost all the time and 20% of people aged 30'49 years feel the same way.

However, this condition is more pronounced in teenage boys. According to a report from Common Sense Media, 26% of boys aged 11'17 years in the United States feel lonely.

"Children are getting lonely," said Dr. German Velez, a child psychiatrist and teenager from Columbia University Medical Center, as reported by the CNBC Make It page.

This has caught the attention of experts in recent years. There are several factors that cause increased loneliness in children and adolescents, especially boys.

1. Rarely Activating Outside The Home

Michael Robb from Common Sense Media said that many children are now increasingly leaving their homes, playing, or engaging in social activities.

Meanwhile, research shows 34% of children don't play outside on school days, and 20% don't play outside even on weekends. This is reinforced by the fear of parents due to news of crime, the term stranger danger', as well as a decrease in confidence in the surrounding environment.

2. Rarely Gathering and Eating Together

According to the World Happiness Report 2025, 1 in 4 Americans eat alone throughout the day. Even though eating with family is an important moment to share stories, joke, and strengthen emotional relationships.

3. Influence of Social Media Content

Most boys spend a lot of time on social media and games. The content they see often highlights stiff masculinity, but strong, lacks emotion, and does not cry.

This makes children feel that showing feelings is a weakness, so they keep everything by themselves. Over time, this made them more isolated.

What Can Parents Do?

There are several steps that can help children reduce loneliness.

1. Take Time together

Not just being in one room, but doing meaningful activities, such as eating together without gadgets, walking in the afternoon, playing games or exercising together to chatting casually. The point is that children need more fun choices than staying in front of the screen.

2. Talk About What Children See On The Internet

Use a curious approach, not angry, For example you can ask:

How do you feel when you see such content?

Menurut kamu, apa itu membuat orang jadi lebih bahagia?

That way, children learn to think critically, not just accept what they see.

3. Set the Use of Gadgets

Suggestions from experts are that there are no gadgets in the bedroom, set screen-free hours at home, and give children the opportunity to play outside with friends.

Playing without a cellphone by running, adventure, exercising is the best way for children to build a real relationship.