A questionnaire of 17-22 year olds has revealed that 90% struggle seeing the older generation lonely. Young people who answered the questionnaire also revealed that many didn't often visit grandparents or older relatives due to being busy with jobs or education. Of those asked, some also mentioned that they found it difficult to know how to spend time with older people as they felt there was a generational gap between the interests they may have.

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Technology has the potential to make a positive impact on loneliness, but by 2030, 10% of older people will still not have a mobile phone or use the internet, according to the Future of Loneliness report. As lifestyle's change and we continue to become more and more reliant on the digital age, Northern Quota looked at the relationship between the older and younger generation and how the older generation may be being isolated due to the digital developments of day to day life.

 

When asked how often they visit their elderly grandparents, 75% of young people answered weekly, however, 20% admitted that they only see them on special occasions such as birthdays or at Christmas. The reasons as to why varied from living a long distance from relatives to being busy with work or school.

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Participants were also asked about their feelings towards the elderly generation as a whole. 80% said that they felt upset that older people may be lonely and isolated due to having nobody visit them and 75% answered that they would be willing to spend time with older people who may be on their own given the chance.

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We also spoke to Jasmine, 18, who is a first year university student about her experiences with her relatives: "I have not long moved to university in Liverpool and don't really get chance to see my grandparents as much now as I'm not at home as much anymore as I once was. I feel guilty at times that I don't get to speak to them face to face as I have always been close to them but I do try and phone once a week and of course see them when I can get home.

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I don't worry about them being lonely too much as my grandma and granddad live together still so they have each other for company, but it is upsetting that some people are alone and have nobody to talk to or help them with anything. It's awful that anybody should be alone but especially old people as they have done so much for their families and all they want is company.

 

I think more should be done to ensure that anyone is lonely is put in contact with a charity or service that can help them get out of the house or put them in contact with someone who can visit them."

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We are always looking for more young people to share their opinions on the situation with us, please tell us your thoughts or stories by tweeting @NeverFeelAloneC using the hash tag #neverfeelalone.