Building Bridges: Teen Loneliness and Connection

The Child Mind Institute report presents a national survey of 1,000 U.S. teenagers ages 14–17 about connection across family, peers, school, self and digital life. It reports that 47% experienced moderate-to-severe loneliness, 80% said connection was very or extremely important, and 88% said in-person time with peers helped them feel connected.

The study also reports that 29% used AI as a source of connection or support and that heavy passive scrolling was associated with higher loneliness. The institute frames relationships and belonging as part of youth mental health, not simply as an individual clinical problem.