On 6 November 2026, teenagers and young adults in Saxony spoke movingly about persistent loneliness: in the MDR special programme “My whole youth, I was lonely”, they describe 16- to 29-year-olds, and how they repeatedly feel excluded and alone inside at school, vocational college or in their free time. The snapshot published by MDR, MDRfragt—the source of the editorial reports and recorded statements—puts the proportion in this age group who say they feel lonely “always” or “often” at 49 per cent. ([mdr.de](https://www.mdr.de/nachrichten/sachsen/einsamkeit-alleinsein-soziale-medien%2Ceinsame-schueler-100.html?utm_source=openai))
Those affected cite several interrelated causes: the pandemic has disrupted social contact and the development of social skills; digital communication has shifted encounters into chats instead of face-to-face meetings; and social media have intensified feelings of comparison and exclusion. School social workers and youth workers report that some young people struggle with face-to-face conversations and making new contacts. These observations are consistent with longer-term survey findings that young adults are affected by social isolation more often than average. Studies and surveys by major research institutes have shown that loneliness among 16- to 29-year-olds has been relatively high in the years since 2020. ([parship.de](https://www.parship.de/studien/gen-z-jeder-dritte-sozial-isoliert/?utm_source=openai))
The report describes specific everyday situations: emotional isolation in crowded classrooms, weekends without shared activities, and retreating to a smartphone. Local professionals stress that recognising loneliness is often the first step; many young people do not know whom they can turn to in confidence. Low-threshold support options include anonymous online counselling and chat services, as well as school-based services. The German Red Cross points to its RealTalk-Chat as an example of a service run by volunteers that enables easy access to initial support. ([mdr.de](https://www.mdr.de/nachrichten/sachsen/einsamkeit-alleinsein-soziale-medien%2Ceinsame-schueler-100.html?utm_source=openai))
The political and educational implications remain contested: experts are calling for more school social work and the expansion of local leisure and community spaces, while researchers point to the need for prevention tailored to specific groups and for better mental health. MDR’s reporting on 6 November 2026 documents personal experiences and local support services, but also raises structural questions about the resources available to schools and youth centres. The accounts of those affected and the professionals can be followed in the broadcast and MDR’s online report; supplementary surveys by MDRfragt and independent institutes provide statistical context. ([mdr.de](https://www.mdr.de/nachrichten/sachsen/einsamkeit-alleinsein-soziale-medien%2Ceinsame-schueler-100.html?utm_source=openai))
Editor: Clara Simonichek (Article created with AI assistance).