Split Happens: a digital platform for young people dealing with their parents' separation

When parents separate, life can change overnight. Homes may change, routines shift and relationships feel uncertain. While adults are often surrounded by legal advice and emotional support for their divorce, children and young people can be left trying to make sense of it all on their own.

That's why we created Split Happens - a free digital platform supporting young people aged 13-30 navigating family separation.

Why children often struggle in silence

When parents split up, children often feel caught in the middle of adult conflict, unsure where they belong or how to express what they're feeling without making things worse.

The reality is stark: research shows that 85% of young people whose parents separated felt unable to speak openly about how the separation was affecting them.

Many said they felt pressure to stay strong and hide their emotions, while others stayed silent for fear of upsetting their parents. One in five felt pressured to take sides, and a similar number admitted feeling guilty about dividing their time between parents.

Young people frequently report experiencing anxiety, sadness and anger following a separation, with a third feeling caught in the middle of parental conflict. Yet despite these intense emotions, many struggle with where to turn for support. Some say they simply didn't have the skills to cope with what was happening, while others report struggling with sleep, confusion and difficulty concentrating – all signs of emotional strain carried in silence.

As a result, many turn inward – or online. One in four young people whose parents separated said they turned to social media, Google and forums for help instead of speaking to a trusted adult. Among Gen Z, this figure rises to two in five. Instead of talking to someone who knows them, they search for answers from strangers who might understand.

Silence, however, doesn't mean they're coping. It often means they don't feel safe, confident or allowed to speak. For millions of teenagers and young adults, this is the silent reality of family separation – and it's one that can feel especially heightened during emotionally complex times like the festive period.

What is Split Happens?

Split Happens is a free, UK-based digital platform designed specifically for young people aged 13 to 30 whose parents have separated or are separating. Created by amicable in partnership with Your Direction, part of separation support charity Restored Lives, it exists to help young people understand what’s happening in their family – and how it’s affecting them.

The platform offers a safe starting point: a space where questions are welcome, emotions are normalised and support is accessible.

How Split Happens helps young people feel supported

A safe, supportive chatbot: Yuni

At the centre of Split Happens is Yuni, a calm, kind chatbot designed especially for young people navigating family separation. Unlike most AI tools, Yuni doesn’t search the open internet for answers. Its responses are guided by trusted, expert-reviewed content and real stories from other young people who have lived through similar experiences.

Yuni is there to listen without judgement. Young people can ask questions they might feel unable to voice elsewhere, whether that’s about managing time between homes, dealing with parental conflict or understanding confusing emotions.

Real stories that reduce isolation

Split Happens also features a collection of real stories from young people who have experienced parental separation themselves. These stories reassure users that they’re not alone, providing recognition, which is something many young people say they’ve been missing.

Practical emotional tools for everyday challenges

Beyond listening, Split Happens helps young people think through real-life situations. It supports them in understanding their feelings, managing anxiety and finding ways to communicate more openly with parents or siblings when they feel ready.

By building emotional clarity and confidence, the platform helps young people strengthen relationships and feel more in control during a time that can otherwise feel overwhelming.

A bridge to real-world support

Importantly, Split Happens doesn’t replace human connection: it encourages it. The platform links to Your Direction, a free support group offering workshops for young people affected by separation. For many, this combination of safe online space and access to real-world support can be transformative.

Built with safety, privacy and trust at its core

Everything about Split Happens has been designed with young people’s safety in mind. The platform is anonymous, fully compliant with the ICO Children’s Code and the Online Safety Act, and doesn’t collect any identifiable personal data. Users remain in control at all times, making it a space where they can explore sensitive topics without fear.

Why support like this matters

With millions of children in the UK living in separated families, the emotional impact of divorce and separation is far from a niche issue. Yet access to therapy or specialist support is often delayed, limited or can require consent from both parents, meaning tools like Split Happens may be the only support some young people can access.

Split Happens meets young people where they are – offering early, trusted support at a moment when it can make a lasting difference. By helping young people feel heard and understood, it supports healthier emotional development and stronger relationships in the long term.

A kinder way forward

Every child deserves to feel seen, heard and supported, especially during life’s most confusing moments. Split Happens exists to ensure that when families change, children don’t have to navigate it alone.

If you know a young person who might benefit, or you want to learn more, explore Split Happens here. You can also follow Split Happens at:

• Instagram: @splithappensofficial
• TikTok: @splithappensofficial
• Facebook: Split Happens
• X: @splithappenss
• LinkedIn: Split Happens

Learn more about Split Happens

Listen to our podcast

Kate Daly talks to experts from Your Direction about why we created Split Happens, the research and technology behind it and how it's helping young people navigate family separation.

You can listen to the full episode below, or on your favourite listening platform such as Spotify, Apple Podcasts or YouTube Music.

Explore different episodes here.

Split Happens in the news

Since launching, Split Happens has sparked important conversations about supporting young people through family separation. Kate Daly, co-founder of amicable, spoke to BBC Radio Newcastle about why we created Split Happens and how it's helping young people find their voice during family change. Listen to the interview here (from 2:46:25).

Need co-parenting support?

If you’re a parent and you need support, our Separating with Children service can help. It’s a 90-minute session with a dedicated Co-parenting Specialist where you can discuss any aspect of separation or co-parenting and get guidance to move forward with confidence.

Research was conducted by Opinium online to 2,000 UK adults between 16th – 19th December 2025.

UK Government, Separated families statistics (published March 2025): approx. 4 million children living in separated families in Great Britain in the year ending March 2024.