Many Teenagers Feel Anxious And Unsafe: Says Survey (image @ pixabay.com)
A recent survey conducted by Polling company Survation for BBC Radio 5 Live and BBC Bitesize on various issues faced by teenagers has revealed that about one – third are anxious and feel unsafe in their surroundings. The survey covered a wide range of areas including vaping and watching pornography.
The survey was conducted among 2000 people aged between 13-18.
44% young girls said they feel unsafe while walking back to home. The wolf whistles and leering makes them anxious, they said. They also shared about the pressing urge to look back while walking home. Some even have a backup route to home in case any issues arise.
“It can be quite scary sometimes. Getting shouted at, people saying “you look good babes”. Sometimes it”s people grabbing my arm in the street – I was once chased by people two or three times my age”, said 13 year old Bobby as quoted by BBC
Nearly 24% of the teenage boys said they also feel unsafe in streets. “If there is a group of boys looking at me and I am on my own and it”s dark, I fear for my safety. I worry about getting jumped…you see so many videos on social media about people being attacked and it makes you feel threatened”, said 15 year old Ashley.
The survey conducted among 1000 teenage girls and 1000 teenage girls suggest that teenagers are anxious about the amount of pornography they see on social media. More than third of the boys and girls said they feel anxious all the time. The top three among the reasons that make the teenagers anxious are going to school, exams and the peer pressure to be on top, as per the survey.
More than half of the boys and girls said they feel anxious when they don”t have their phone with them. One said it is hard to be not on social media.
“I”ve tried not to go on social media, but Its difficult because you feel like you are missing out on something”, said Kayla, a teenager.
At least a fifth of 980 teenage girls reported about receiving unwanted nude images or videos from a peer. Almost three quarters of the boys and girls responded that the social media should stop the “accidental” popping up of pornography.
Nearly 641 of the teenager responded they had tried vaping. Among which one third said they think they were addicted. Westminster officials are actively searching for an appropriate way to cut down on people buying and using vapes.
However, about 66% of the young people surveyed said they are positive about the future and family is the most important thing in their life now.
Dame Rachel de Souza, the Children’s Commissioner for England said the online world and social media is having a real impact on teenagers” mental health, well being and safety and that urgent work should be done to protect children from online pornography and other harmful contents.
