Why do young people feel so lonely? 6 Minute English 

Hello! We hope you enjoyed that. If you did, you'll LOVE this programme about the teenage brain: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-4YHtcINPkjM.html

When you get busy, you'll forget that you're being lonely, Actually.

Neil: Hello. Welcome to 6 Minute English, I'm Neil. Sam: And I'm Sam. Neil: And we are sitting here in New Broadcasting House, in the middle of London. Would you say, Sam, that this is an isolated place? Sam: Oh no, not at all. Isolated means far away from other places and people. Neil: Does that mean then, do you think, that you can't be lonely here, with all these people around and all these things to do? Sam: Ah, good question. Can you be lonely in a crowd? Yes, of course, I think you can be because being lonely isn't about physical isolation. I think you can be lonely anywhere if you feel that you are disconnected from the world around you, if you feel that no one understands you. If you are living happily in isolation in The Scottish Highlands, for example, I'm sure you could feel lonely if you came here to London. Neil: Well, loneliness is today's topic. The BBC has just completed a big survey about it which we will learn more about shortly. But first, of course, a question: Where is the most isolated inhabited place on the planet - by which I mean the place furthest away from anywhere else with the fewest people living there. Is it: a) McMurdo Station in Antarctica, b) Siwa Oasis in Egypt's Western Desert, or is it c) the island of Tristan da Cunha in the South Atlantic? What do you think, Sam? Sam: I've got absolutely no idea, so this is just a guess - I think it's the one in Antarctica. I'm going to go with that. Neil: Well, we'll have the answer later on in the programme. Loneliness is seen as a big problem for the mental health of the population, so much so that the British government has a minister for loneliness. But which age group suffers most from loneliness. Here is a BBC report about the research. James Gallagher, BBC reporter: There is a common stereotype that loneliness affects only the old and the isolated. It does, but this experiment also shows that loneliness is felt throughout life. People aged between 16 and 24 experience loneliness more often and more intensely than any other age group. Neil: So according to the research, Sam, which section of society is most affected by loneliness? Sam: This might be a surprise, but it's 16 to 24 years old. Neil: I was surprised by that because like many, I would've guessed that it was older people. Sam: The reporter did say that that was a stereotype. A stereotype is nothing to do with stereo music, but it's the noun we use to describe a very simple and basic judgement of someone and their character and personality based on their age, nationality, profession and so on. So a stereotype of British people is that we can't cook, we have bad teeth, we are very reserved and never say what we mean. Neil: I don't know what you mean, my cooking is wonderful, Sam. nd the stereotype is that old people get lonely. Sam: Much like the stereotypes of British people, this may be true in some cases -I've eaten some of your home-cooked meals remember, Neil - but it's not true for the majority. It is young people who feel lonely more often and more intensely. Intensely here means strongly. The feeling of loneliness is stronger in young people than older people. Neil: The reporter goes on to give some explanation for why young people might be more lonely. James Gallagher, BBC reporter: Researchers from the University of Manchester who analysed the data, suggested feeling lonely may plague the young because it's a time of identity change. Figuring out your place in the world and of learning to regulate emotions. Neil: He says that feeling lonely may plague young people, what does he mean there? Sam: If you are plagued by something, it means that it troubles you, it bothers you and not just once, it's something that happens continually or repeatedly. Neil: And he says this may be because at that age we are still figuring out our place in the world. We are trying to understand the world and what we are supposed to do with our lives. Sam: He also suggests that younger people have not yet learned how to regulate their emotions, which is another way of saying to control their emotions. Neil: Right. Time to review this week's vocabulary, but before that let's have the answer to the quiz. I asked: Where is the most isolated inhabited place on the planet? Is it: a) McMurdo Station in Antarctica, b) Siwa Oasis in Egypt's Western Desert or c) the island of Tristan da Cunha in the South Atlantic? What did you say, Sam? Sam: I said a). Neil: Well, I'm afraid to say the answer is actually c) the island of Tristan da Cunha in the South Atlantic. It has a population of fewer than 300 and it's only accessible by a 6-day voyage by ship from South Africa. Sam: So not a popular place for a weekend break! Neil: Indeed not. Now it's time for a recap of our vocabulary. The first word was isolated, which Tristan da Cunha certainly is. It means far away from other place and people. Sam: Then there was stereotype the noun for a simplistic view of person or group based on their nationality, age, profession and the like. Neil: Intensely means strongly. Sam: Being plagued by something means it causes you problems and difficulties. Neil: If you are trying to figure something out, you are trying to understand it. Sam: And to regulate something means to control it. Neil: Well, sadly, that's the end of the programme. Hopefully you won't feel too lonely without us, remember we are always here on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, RU-vid, our App and of course the website bbclearningenglish.com. See you soon. Goodbye. Sam: Bye!

when u feel lonely, u should watch this video and read all the comments, u'll realise that u have a group of people with the same feeling, so that u won't be lonely anymore 😂😂

I didn’t came here to learn English, I was interested about this subject lol xd

Sometimes loneliness plagues me, but there are times that i find being alone liberating and joyful.

Many people feel lonely because their life was terrible, they don't want to start new relationship with others :/ , they are hurt 😐

Sometimes I find that being alone is not so bad cuz' I can do everything absolutely freely and I really enjoy it. I also like being at a café alone and focus on my work.Being lonely for me just only when you're in the crowd and you have to talk to the others but feel disconnected and don't know what to say.

Most of young people feel lonely because they have no friends. It is important to learn how to talk with other, learn to make conversations and finally make friends. Its a main reason, in my opinion

Hi Neil, Sam and BBC team, I am writing to Thankyou for the efforts you guys put for us !! Coming to the point, I had my Ielts exam today and had a relative topic in the writing component and this video was truly a savior!!! Thanks once again. So happy to come across this channel. 😇

The podcast is very interesting, because he tells us about the problem that loneliness is in the mental health of society. For example, mentions its effect mainly on young people of 16 and 24 experience loneliness more often and more intensely than any other age group. Other groups within society that suffer from depression at a lower level are the elderly.

It’s important that people who are plagued by loneliness, don’t isolate yourself because it can turn into depression

I haven't friend and yes I'm alone

BBC Learning English is the best! I enjoy so much of your conversations! Because they are funny, in pure English and about daily topics. Thanks, great thanks!

Guys, we are not alone, God is with us everytime and everywhere

Loneliness is both good and bad. Sometimes you feel emotionally lonely even if there are a lot of people around. Some people prefer solitude, while others are uncomfortable with loneliness.

How many people from uzbekistan ❤

I have been listening BBC learning English for two days... Specially 6 minutes English.. i am going to improve my listening skill very soon.. (Thanks BBC learning English)❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

they pronounce so clearly! love

Today is my second day improving my listening in English, thank you, I LOVE this podcast.

Thanks to BBC ,I'm becoming addicted to listen to English

Thanks for listening! Some days, I fell very lonelly and I m from Türkiye🇹🇷.Again thanks to this listening.❤️

Thank you for talking and discussing about loneliness. Personally, I find it exceedingly vital to tackle this issue. If it's not taken care of or managed, it might bring upon onset of depression which I think is a silent killer. Thank you, BBC.

these videos improve my listening skills a lot ,thx !

Thanks 6 minutes English! My English has improved since I began to listen to this program about 2 years ago.

I am so lonely now. Having no friend, having no job. Poor me. I wish I could have them right now.

Thanks for the video. I do agree with you. Loneliness is an overspread nowadays and especially young people are plagued by the issue. But there is a solution! Listen to BBC Learning English. You wouldn't feel lonely wit Dan, Sian, Catherine, Sam, Neil))))

Actually, this is Very helpful like students who are going on the IELTS preparation 🥰💟

this channel is very good / day by day i am enhancing my vocab and listening via listening different types of podcasts

As we can see in the present time how social media isolated people from the real world so we can see the effect on the people how lonely they start to feel themselves. We need to figure out the balance between social media and friends and try to establish an intense relation with friends and family. We also try to regulate ourselves by noticing the harm of excessive use of social media. We need to break the stereotype of being cool on social media is a big thing. Otherwise, We'll be plagued by some kind of mental problem. Hopefully, I made the correct use of grammar.

This is a really serious problem for the majority of students. That’s just true. You have many homework’s and with many other activities you don’t have any free time to relaxe. Unfortunately...

Loneliness has become an absolute epidemic in our times.

Soo thank you about this video. I have been feeling lonely so far. Finally understood why. And of course thanks for the vocabulary!

I m from turkey. İn my country people is speaking their neighbors. Also familiy connection is very strong in my country. I love turkey.

Wish you all have a good day! Thanks for sharing.

Sometimes I don't dislike when being alone ,because I can do anything freely without thinking　of others. On the other hand, sometimes I feel lonely when being alone,especially at night. What is this emotion?? I want to cut to the feeling♪

Hello, I am Mexican and I am here to learn English, in Mexico people are very friendly but I have felt lonely sometimes, maybe all of us once.

Thank for all. From Vietnam!

I agree with result of the research. In this period I usually felt lonely! And now I'm better a lot! I'm a adult and I have a favourite job in the preschool❤️❤️

I feel you are all my family I really feel relaxed listening to you. I have just one awesome son sometimes we both feel lonely. 😢

Thanks for BBC L.N. because they help me a lot. My English improves day by day. So I'm very happy. From Uzbekistan ☺️

In my opinion being alone is hard. Being disconnect to others can be challenging to some people. I like being with companies and talking about everything but sometimes i need to stay away from something to chill my mind out. That's my point. Being alone is not good, because humans are social creatures sometimes they are needed to be heard and understand. I think we all need people deep down. For some people being alone means the happiness but for another people it means unhappiness. Buddha told about it in his quotes. Thanks BBC a lot😉👍

I believe there is so much uncovered yet....more talk is needed to be done

Absolutey..Loneliness really affects your mind... overthinking... it's just like as if everything is over now..I do yoga so now I feel ok...out of depression now

Iam so happy becouse i finally was able to understand 90 percent of the video ....thank you ❤

Even if ı have been going school nearly for two years ı could not learn english precisely but thanks to BBC which is very vital for me ı was able to proceed my english level into advanced level within Just 9 months

I am very delighted to find out this channel randomly while I was scrolling on RU-vid... Thank you BBC for all the efforts you have done for us... I Really appreciate you ..and l like the way you use to present the podcast..😊

Neil’s voice is sobperfect

I love this video very much

Sometimes, I feel so lonely because no one understands my feeling 😢 I can’t share emotion to them

In my view, it is an individual issue. We can't just lump everyone.Statistics are one of the ways to manipulate and disable us to have our seperate opinions about something. Surveys don't involve everyone. We can't have an opinion about everyone if we only look at a few people who were surveyed before. Maybe it could seem pointless and ridiculous if we asked everyone in the world if they felt lonely or not, but at least, we would be more certain that our analysis and statistics had more accurate data.

Today is my first bbc learning english class...so I'm very exited in my speaking English in fluently👍...cause this very helpfull vdio for me

i love Neil's voice so much :)

I had no friends at school or out of school. Was shy and did not need friends. Had my parents and my brother! Even now I am happy to be alone! My mother suffered dreadfully by feeling lonely. But she had problems! Agoraphobia and anxiety! And the loneliest place would be the Kermadecs in the Pacific ocean.

Loneliness may cause depression,so it is very important to be surrounded with good people who really understand and feel you

Thank BBC Learning English. I love all.

what great way to learn english, currently I´m learning english and this kind of video really help me.

Absolutely... Thanks for sharing👍

Cool!

thank you I just have my love memories so I never fell alone however she left me but I still love her

I'm a Vietnamese and I'm studying English to prepare my study abroad in the U.S . when I stared at University I broke off every things about my friends in high school . I believe that good for me in my life But ...... I guess I'm wrong

So useful... i love this program.

Thank u BBC! It is really interesting because it is also one of the crucial parts of our life!

Thank you BBC you are really the best.

For young people, the things they are dealing with changes so dramaticly.

Yes I was really lonely 😞 when I was 23. I thought 💭 I was old at 23. It seem like I was just a teenager then boom 💥 I’m 23.

I like this podcast

Because they don’t read enough. Reading stories activates the centres of the brain that deal with the actions taking place in the story. If you read a story about a person running, it activates the same part of the brain that is activated when you yourself are running. If you read stories about people interacting with one another, it actually activates the parts of the mind used to process social interaction. You can quite literally fulfil your need for social interaction by reading stories about it. This is also true of music, and it is why love songs are so popular. Listening to a love song effectively makes your brain feel as if you yourself are in love.

I truly very very much seriously and firmly strongly agree with what you said here!!!!

Yes,I agree with you.Who said loneliness is bad?

I loved to hear this audio. I m a great fan of your BBC Learning English.

Actually, it appropriates for everyone who want to improve their Listening skill in English from all level under band 7.0 in IELTS listening ! Love BBC so much ^-^

Very important term.Thank you so much from Bangladesh.

2:00 stereotype 2:15 intensely 3:00 reserved 3:47 4:04 plague

I found the topic of the podcast very interesting, although it is in a language that I hardly understand, I had not seen another podcast that captures my attention from beginning to end, and best of all, in just six minutes I learned some things that I did not have I have no idea, for example: that the most isolated place in the world is Tristan da Cunha Island and that those who suffer most from loneliness are young people.

I love the topic that is being discussed in order to learn English but I would be more happy if we could see teachers discussing it .... As it gets easy to understand

Arranging your time schedule the more busier, making u forget what u are lonely now.It all about Physical isolate

Oh pretty words! thanks

This channel is useful for new learner too me .

Fantastic report.thanks a million

Thank you bbc and team

We are unity❤❤❤

Gr8 BBC your efforts to teach English globally is absolutely going in the correct direction.

I am lonely,but most of the time i would not realize it, when i realized it,only could i lean on music😭

Thank you guys

Hey...... Please, Arrange online webinar for English improving..

I always feel lonely even I'm married and have children

Fantastic subject! Congratulations, BBC! Hugs from Brazil

Thanks you

Thanks BBC!

Thank you the simple English.

Thx

This is great. The video has a short topic, vocabulary, and test. All in 6 minutes video. Amazing!

This channel is helpful for listening!♡

I LOVE BBC!!!

It is the same in France

Exelent, Is really entreteniment for me, it's estuding or very advanced, the vocabulary and lisening, very thanks teacher!

wow, so glad to meet your small talk in 6 minutes program, it sounds like tailored for IELTS speaking.

Thanks

Intensely personal