Parent Zone have published a new report – The Perfect Generation: Is the Internet Undermining Young People’s Mental Health? – on the effects of the internet on young people’s mental health.
The report, which surveyed teachers and young people aged between 13-20, has found that children in the UK are facing a lack of resources in schools, leaving teachers frustrated and pupils vulnerable.
As Parent Zone state, “results show a generation of young people (torn between positive feelings towards the internet (74.5% report that it makes them happy), yet an acknowledgment that there are areas they would tell friends to avoid. 36% of young people who were surveyed admit they would suggest friends avoid Facebook if they were feeling worried or upset.”
Findings also include:
- Over half of 13-20-year-olds surveyed (51%) have seen someone talk about suicide online.
- 61% of young people have seen someone talk about hurting themselves online.
- 34% of young people said if they were upset or had a problem, they would talk to a parent or carer first. 27% would talk to someone else they trusted in person. 28% of respondents said their first step would be some kind of online help, ranging from a Google search to an information service for young people. Fewer than 1% would call a helpline first.
- 44% of teachers think the internet is bad for young people’s mental health, compared to 28% of young people.
- 91% of teachers believe the frequency of mental health issues among pupils is increasing.
- Of these issues, schools report stress and anxiety (95%), depression (70%) and self-harm (66%) as the most common issues amongst pupils.
- 84% of schools say they do not have adequate resources to deal with pupils’ mental health issues.
To read the full report and recommendations visit: http://parentzone.org.uk/article/perfect-generation-internet-undermining-young-peoples-mental-health
