Belonging shapes how young people see themselves and how they connect with others. While belonging can feel invisible when things are going well, it often becomes more noticeable when disrupted, such as moving to a new class, joining a new team, or feeling left out for being oneself. When these social dimensions are lacking, it can lead to feelings of loneliness. Belonging and loneliness go hand in hand, as they’re complex emotions felt by young people – sometimes in tandem, as one can be in a ‘room full of people but feeling completely alone’.
A report on young adults in Ireland conducted by spunout.ie (2025) found that:
- Approximately 1 in 5 young texters expressed loneliness.
- Most of these texters reported loneliness alongside other complex feelings, such as sadness and anxiety.
- Conversations relating to loneliness were more common among young adults between the ages 16-24.
In the World Café consultations (2025; 2026) at DCU Anti-Bullying Centre, students spoke about the role of peer friendships in addressing loneliness, social bullying in schools, and belonging. Across all groups, students emphasised the importance of friends in helping them feel safe.
- Friends provide a sense of belonging, act as confidants, and can offer advice or intervene on behalf of the victim
- Peer support helps victims cope emotionally and reinforces their confidence, especially when they feel isolated
- Friends may report bullying to adults on behalf of the victim
- They also act as a protective shield, offering emotional support or even physical presence to prevent bullying
Across these consultations, friendships were consistently identified as enhancing the sense of belonging students feel in the school climate, as well as helping them cope when they feel isolated and alone. But peers aren’t the only people who can help students overcome loneliness.
Students across sessions frequently mentioned their interactions with parents, emphasising communication, trust, and boundaries. The most discussed sub themes included the role of parents in providing guidance about online behaviour, the need for supportive conversations about bullying, and concerns about overprotection or lack of understanding.