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The happiness of the UK's schoolchildren - in eight charts The happiness of the UK's schoolchildren - in eight charts
(4 months later)
What do children in Britain worry about? Do they think about the future? How happy are they? The lives of young people can feel like a mystery to teachers and parents, but a recent report offers some insight into the next generation – from their stress levels to selfie obsessions, personal relationships and technology use. The survey of more than 2,000 children, aged between 7 and 14 across the UK, found that the majority are happy at home (95%) and in school (75%). We’ve digested the main findings into eight areas: What do children in Britain worry about? Do they think about the future? How happy are they? The lives of young people can feel like a mystery to teachers and parents, buta recent report offers some insight into the next generation – from their stress levels to selfie obsessions, personal relationships and technology use. The survey of more than 2,000 children, aged between 7 and 14 across the UK, found that the majority are happy at home (95%) and in school (75%). We’ve digested the main findings into eight areas:
HappinessHappiness
This survey suggests young people are happier than indicated in the recent Children’s Society report, which found that a significant minority were not satisfied with their lives. However, researchers did conclude that there are elements of children’s lives that need to be addressed, such as improving pastoral care as they move into secondary education. “Children told us they are at their most worried in years 6 and 7,” the report says.This survey suggests young people are happier than indicated in the recent Children’s Society report, which found that a significant minority were not satisfied with their lives. However, researchers did conclude that there are elements of children’s lives that need to be addressed, such as improving pastoral care as they move into secondary education. “Children told us they are at their most worried in years 6 and 7,” the report says.
SleepSleep
Although the majority of children reported having healthy or very healthy sleep, more than a quarter (27%) described their slumber more unfavourably. The report also notes that 50% of children are more likely to develop sleeping difficulties if they spend more than four hours a day on a screen, which could be a factor in the struggle for peace and quiet.Although the majority of children reported having healthy or very healthy sleep, more than a quarter (27%) described their slumber more unfavourably. The report also notes that 50% of children are more likely to develop sleeping difficulties if they spend more than four hours a day on a screen, which could be a factor in the struggle for peace and quiet.
BullyingBullying
Almost half of the children surveyed had experienced face-to-face bullying by the age of 14 . Yet certain forms of cyberbullying were less common than you might expect – email was the least likely medium for abuse. Researchers also found that girls were twice as likely to report incidents of bullying than boys.Almost half of the children surveyed had experienced face-to-face bullying by the age of 14 . Yet certain forms of cyberbullying were less common than you might expect – email was the least likely medium for abuse. Researchers also found that girls were twice as likely to report incidents of bullying than boys.
The futureThe future
The pressure of finding a job was felt among a third of respondents. This is perhaps no surprise after calls for children as young as five to be given career guidance. The report found that children living in London felt the pressure of future employment the most – more than 43% of children in the capital said they were worried about getting a job after they leave education.The pressure of finding a job was felt among a third of respondents. This is perhaps no surprise after calls for children as young as five to be given career guidance. The report found that children living in London felt the pressure of future employment the most – more than 43% of children in the capital said they were worried about getting a job after they leave education.
TeachingTeaching
Researchers found that many children are not sure the things they learn in school will benefit them as adults. The report suggests this feeling becomes more prevalent as children get older – 88% of seven-year-olds feel that what they learn in school is valuable, compared with just 36% of 14-year-olds.Researchers found that many children are not sure the things they learn in school will benefit them as adults. The report suggests this feeling becomes more prevalent as children get older – 88% of seven-year-olds feel that what they learn in school is valuable, compared with just 36% of 14-year-olds.
Physical appearancePhysical appearance
Girls are far more insecure than boys, according to the survey, and nearly twice as likely to say that they are unattractive. The report notes that although concerns about physical appearance used to be the preserve of older teens, it’s common for younger girls to feel the pressure too now. Children’s confidence in their appearance also plummets as they grow up – 40% of seven-year-olds said they thought they were pretty/handsome compared with 88% of 13-year-olds.Girls are far more insecure than boys, according to the survey, and nearly twice as likely to say that they are unattractive. The report notes that although concerns about physical appearance used to be the preserve of older teens, it’s common for younger girls to feel the pressure too now. Children’s confidence in their appearance also plummets as they grow up – 40% of seven-year-olds said they thought they were pretty/handsome compared with 88% of 13-year-olds.
The number of selfies taken also showed a gender divide, with 63% of girls admitting to taking at least one every day, compared with 32% of all respondents.The number of selfies taken also showed a gender divide, with 63% of girls admitting to taking at least one every day, compared with 32% of all respondents.
RelationshipsRelationships
More than 70% of children surveyed said they had a girlfriend or boyfriend – and the most common age for first relationships is 10. Boys were found to be more likely than girls to get into a relationship to look cool in front of their peers.More than 70% of children surveyed said they had a girlfriend or boyfriend – and the most common age for first relationships is 10. Boys were found to be more likely than girls to get into a relationship to look cool in front of their peers.
WorriesWorries
Top of the list of concerns for young people was being happy, followed by the fear of not having enough money. When asked how much they worried about broader issues, 40 % said family was a concern, 22% worried about crime and 13% were stressed about jobs.Top of the list of concerns for young people was being happy, followed by the fear of not having enough money. When asked how much they worried about broader issues, 40 % said family was a concern, 22% worried about crime and 13% were stressed about jobs.
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