Half of kids as young as 6 are being kept up at night worrying about school & their looks, worrying new research shows
HALF of kids are being kept awake at night by their worries, according to research.
A study of 1,000 children aged between six and 16 found one in five are averaging less than eight hours of sleep a night.
The young people surveyed reported feeling anxiety over topics from school work to making friends.
Seven in 10 (69%) are worrying about school, while 54% are anxious about how they look.
And 56% say they are feeling uneasy about their future.
As they return to school for the new year, homework (31%), studying certain subjects (31%) and exams (30%) are causing the most anxiety.
While others are concerned about making friends (23%) and fitting in (22%).
The research was commissioned by PGL Beyond to mark the launch of THRIVE!, a programme for schools which develops children’s health and wellbeing.
It does this through residential stays with activities like forest bathing, journaling, and yoga.
“Children are losing precious hours of sleep due to mounting worries, and the effects are often showing up in the classroom,” said Anthony Jones, chief executive officer at the educational travel group.
“Teachers and parents tell us that these concerns are heightened by spending too much time on electronic devices and pressures from influencers on social media.
“And we know that time spent outdoors, pushing boundaries, and enjoying new experiences can play a crucial role in alleviating those anxieties that keep children awake at night.”
The research showed that 24% attend a school which has a ‘quiet room’ where students can go to relax.
However, only 18% are offered classes to help deal with pupil concerns.
And, on the plus side, 76% consider their teachers ‘quite’ or ‘very’ supportive, offering advice and listening to problems.
While most children feel they are understood by their parents either all (26%) or most of the time (44%).
But 51% fear if they talk to friends about their worries they may be laughed at, according to the OnePoll.com figures.
Children's top back to school worries
PGL Beyond released a breakdown of the most common worries children have when going back to school.
- Homework – 31%
- Doing subjects they don’t enjoy – 31%
- Exams/ tests – 30%
- Making friends – 23%
- Fitting in with other people at school – 22%
Other commonly reported anxieties included:
- If people like them
- Not being included in friendship groups
- Arguments with friends
- Being lonely
- My future plans
- Staying safe at school
- Their relationships with teachers
- Having to do school performances
- Being pressured to do well at school by their parents
- Staying safe when outside of school alone
- Using school changing rooms/ toilets
- If they are good looking
- Keeping up with friends on social media
- If they are overweight
- Their health
Some of the things children identified as helping them to relax included listening to music (34%) and spending time with friends (33%).
While 22% play sport when they are feeling uneasy and 18% will read a book.
“Children need to be equipped with the tools to manage their worries and feel better about themselves,” added Anthony.
“This is why we’ve designed our new programme to provide young people with essential tools and techniques for being able to cope with the pressures of today’s society.
“It isn’t a replacement for classic activity adventures, but something different which will likely appeal to schools and parents who have positively embraced health and wellbeing.”