Troubled times for the little ones (5)
I believe the answer is:
mites
'the little ones' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
'troubled times' is the wordplay.
'troubled' indicates an anagram.
'times' anagrammed gives 'MITES'.
'for' is the link.
(Other definitions for mites that I've seen before include "Minute creatures that infest animals and food" , "tots?" , "Minute arachnids that infest animals and stored foods" , "Widows' contributions?" , "little children" .)