The sense of being part of a group is important in shaping identity during adolescence. Friends become increasingly important as a teenager gains independence, and they turn to them for support more than before.
Friends provide a teenager with peer support. They are going through the same life‑changing transition and understand the world of their age group, including its trends and social expectations. Experiencing and sharing emotions together helps to learn social skills and to interpret different situations.
Research shows that time spent with friends is also linked to happiness in adulthood. As long as time with friends does not compromise your child’s schooling or sleep, you can see it as an investment in their current and future mental wellbeing.
You can support your child’s friendships by providing a safe place for hanging out at home and by being considerate of the friends when you meet them. The friends may giggle or shy away from you, but the reality is that a warm, accepting attitude creates a safe environment where the young people can feel comfortable.
Loneliness in teenagers
It is not always easy to notice a young person’s loneliness. Most teenagers need friends, even if they like to spend a lot of time alone.
Loneliness is a very personal experience. You may notice that your child spends a lot of time at home, being withdrawn and melancholic. However, the best way to find out about the teenager's inner world is to ask them.
Raise the topic during a calm moment when your child appears to be in the right frame of mind to have a conversation. Your support and compassion will mean a lot, even if you cannot take away the loneliness.
Ask how they see the situation and what solutions they would like to seek. Think about whether a hobby, volunteering or some other leisure time community could provide new opportunities to make friends. Where could your child meet other, likeminded young people? Sometimes having friends online can also help alleviate the experience of loneliness.
It is also a good idea to seek support for feelings of loneliness and low mood early on. Encourage your child to seek conversational support from a professional, such as their school social worker or psychologist.