1. Skip to content
  2. Skip to main menu
  3. Skip to more DW sites
In focus
IranEbolaUkraine
Latest audioLatest videos
Live TV
SocietyGermany

Young and Lonely - Ways Out of Isolation

May 11, 2026

Loneliness is often underestimated - especially among young people. The documentary follows four young people: Ellen, Gordon, Lilli and Vanelynn, who feel isolated for very different reasons.

https://p.dw.com/p/5Ba0U
Staged studio scene with several open, cube-shaped living boxes: Multiple people sit or stand inside individual rooms furnished with a sofa, bed, lamp, and plants. The boxes are stacked on top of each other, featuring a light color palette with yellow and beige tones against a neutral background.
Image: SWR

Ellen moves to Freiburg as a student and doesn't know many people there yet.

Street scene in front of an underground station in a city: Several people walk across a paved square, with the entrance to an underground station and a sign reading “Rosenthaler Straße” visible in the background. Posters cover nearby walls, and a bicycle is parked close to the entrance.
Image: SWR

Another person affected is 19-year-old Lilli, who often feels alone in Cottbus in Brandenburg with her left-wing values.

Then there’s influencer Vanelynn from Düsseldorf. Although she’s constantly online, she misses having real-life contacts.

The last protagonist is Gordon from Stuttgart, who lives with depression.

The four of them speak about their struggles and hopes, which the film records with openness and sensitivity.
 

Broadcasting Hours:

DW English

TUE 26.05.2026 – 01:03 UTC
TUE 26.05.2026 – 04:03 UTC
TUE 26.05.2026 – 10:03 UTC
WED 27.05.2026 – 09:03 UTC
WED 27.05.2026 – 14:03 UTC
WED 27.05.2026 – 21:03 UTC
THU 28.05.2026 – 07:03 UTC
THU 28.05.2026 – 12:03 UTC
SAT 30.05.2026 – 08:03 UTC
SUN 31.05.2026 – 13:03 UTC

Lagos UTC +1 | Cape Town UTC +2 | Nairobi UTC +3
Delhi UTC +5,5 | Bangkok UTC +7 | Hong Kong UTC +8
London UTC +1 | Berlin UTC +2 | Moscow UTC +3
San Francisco UTC -7 | Edmonton UTC -6 | New York UTC -4

Skip next section More on Society from Europe

More on Society from Europe

Germany sees record number of discrimination claims in 2025

The anti-discrimination commissioner has said government resources and funding are severely lacking to tackle the issue.
SocietyJune 4, 2026
Glasses, bottle, can, hand reaching for a glass, set against colored lights

Germany plans to address growing use of date-rape drugs

Germany's justice minister wants to crack down on the use of date-rape drugs. But victims say more needs to be done.
SocietyMay 24, 2026
The image shows a protest scene taking place outdoors in daylight. In the foreground, a person wearing dark sunglasses, a patterned scarf, and a striped shirt is holding a whistle to their mouth while raising a smartphone, likely recording or taking photos. The person is standing among a crowd of demonstrators. In the background, numerous people are gathered closely together, holding signs and placards. Some signs are partially visible, with bold lettering and bright colors, suggesting political or social messages, although the full text is not clearly readable. The overall setting appears to be a public street or square, with natural sunlight illuminating the scene. The crowd forms a dense backdrop, indicating a sizable demonstration. The atmosphere suggests collective action, with participants using whistles, signs, and phones to express and document the event.

Children, teens in Germany lack access to mental health care

The number of youths experiencing emotional health issues is rising — but people in need lack access to therapy.
SocietyMay 23, 202605:46 min
Show more
Skip next section More on Society from around the world

More on Society from around the world

Montage: Make America Great Again hat, Christ-like rendering of Trump

Young Christians in the US: Faith, power and politics

Gen Z men are increasingly finding purpose, community and their political orientation via faith in the United States.
SocietyMay 30, 202612:34 min
A screenshot of a blue and black surveillance platform

New Chinese surveillance leaves foreigners nowhere to hide

A Chinese cybersecurity expert has shared with DW details of China's new high-tech policing that can "profile" anyone.
SocietyMay 24, 2026
A Tibetan monk walks by a wall in Dharamsala

Numbers of Tibetan exiles plummet as China tightens grip

Fewer Tibetans are seeking exile, as escaping Beijing-controlled Tibet has become more complicated and dangerous.
SocietyMay 20, 2026
Show more