The Kids are Alright? It Depends presented by Deborah McCoy

Our youth are connected to each other via social media, and those relationships are meaningful and important. However, youth spending time with peers, in person, is essential to their healthy development. Just published research indicates that youth are experiencing loneliness at higher levels now, especially with the impact of COVID. Research has shown that teenagers and young adults are lonelier than any other age group, and a national survey found that 4 out of 10 young people described themselves as feeling sad, misunderstood, suffering from FOMO and without anyone to talk to. Youth who are lonely may be as much as three times more likely to develop depression in the future, and the impact of loneliness on mental health can last for years. Recently published research found that a significant predictor of satisfying romantic relationships, adult work competence and quality of life in adulthood was positive peer relationships in middle and high school.

This is a PA Masonic Youth Foundation presentation as approved by NASW-PA.