Teenage son has no friends

[Railwayroad]

My 13 YO has no mates. He says he’s fine with this. He used to but since high school he is always on his own. He never goes out with friends. He said he doesn’t get how to ‘hang out’.

he’s had some mild bullying at school but that seems to have stopped. He plays for a football team and is friendly with the boys there but they are not his friends iyswim. He also attends a drama group once a week. He games a lot online with a boy from his old school though doesn’t seem in outside of that.

I do think he’s slightly ND. He has some mild sensory issues. I just worry that he’s socially isolated. Is this normal? He’s my only child so nothing to compare to.

I do think teens today are more gaming that going out like we used to. Positive that he has football etc. if he seems happy I wouldn’t worry too much, it will all come together. It’s if he was bothered that I would be although obviously as a mum it’s normal to want everything perfect for him X

Sounds a bit like my 15 year old. He has a handful of mates but he's never been one for meeting up and going out preferring to stay in and game with an old friend from cubs years ago.

It bothers me sometimes but he's a sociable lad in the right company and a lot like me at that age so I'm not that worried.

Also an only child.

If he’s happy with gaming and activities I would not worry. My only son did have friends and socialised a bit but he picked and chose what he wanted to do and he never just hung out much as he said it was boring. He also had more than one set of friends too he never wanted to be part of exclusive friendship groups. He’s at Uni now loads of friends, brilliant flat mates but he still chooses when to go out he’s never felt like he has to be the popular one.

Friendships change throughout life if your son is content as he is I would leave him to it.

Thank you for your replies.