The results reveal that up to 7% of young people often feel lonely, with 23-31% saying they experienced feeling left out, alone, isolated or lacking company. However, the researchers noted that the study has its limitations as it only focused on young people aged 18 and more research is required to see the full extent of loneliness on young people.

“What we wanted to do was … a study that gives a snapshot of the lives of young people in the UK who are suffering from loneliness,” Matthews told The Guardian.

The research found that participants with a higher level of loneliness were more likely to engage in “physical health risk behaviours”. These individuals were also less likely to be physically active, more likely to smoke, and more likely to use technology more frequently.

The impact of loneliness even affects careers and education. A fifth of the loneliest participants were found to not be in education, employment or training of some kind.

Previous studies have shown that people who feel lonely are 50% more likely to experience an early death and scientists believe loneliness is as dangerous to our health as smoking cigarettes or being obese.

In 2017, a study revealed found that people who spent two hours on social media a day perceived themselves to be twice as lonely as those who spent just 30 minutes or less online. The number was higher still for anyone who logged in on more than 58 occasions per week. These users felt three times the amount of perceived loneliness.

Thankfully, loneliness in young people is being talked about a lot more than ever before - and there is help available for those experiencing it. If you feel lonely you can call the Samaritans in the UK on 116 123. Alternatively, you reach Mind, open Monday to Friday, 9am – 6pm on 0300 123 3393.

Images: Unsplash / Getty

How loneliness is holding millennials back in life