Rising prices, climate change, and poor mental health are among the main issues for children — according to global research

The comprehensive ‘Protection of Childhood: Security Dimensions for Children and Adolescents‘ survey on the threats and challenges in children’s lives was conducted among children and parents from 15 countries around the globe, specifically for the Fourth Summit of First Ladies and Gentlemen. A study highlighted both the global issues parents and children face and the range of local challenges. It was focused on 5 dimensions: the impact of wars on children’s lives, security at school, Internet safety, well-being at home, and environmental threats. Countries in focus included Brazil, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Iraq, Japan, Kenya, Lithuania, Qatar, Serbia, Türkiye, Ukraine, the UK, and the USA. The survey results were presented during the Fourth Summit of First Ladies and Gentlemen, held in Kyiv, Ukraine, on 12 September. 

Rising prices, poverty, and unemployment are among the main issues parents around the globe cite. Children cited rising prices at the top of the list of issues for young generations in their countries, too. However, when asked to rank challenges affecting them personally, children prioritised mental health, followed by family worries and environmental issues. 

Nevertheless, in Japan, Serbia, Ukraine, and Türkiye, war and its associated dangers dominate the list of children’s concerns. In Ukraine, for example, 73% of parents said their children face ‘a lot more’ threats than these parents did in their childhood. That clearly shows the impact of the ongoing war on everyday life.

Children’s safety and war

The research shows that 89% of children are aware of at least one ongoing war or armed conflict worldwide. The most recognised wars are in Ukraine, Gaza, and Sudan. This widespread awareness suggests that the impact of war extends far beyond the regions directly involved, impacting the minds of young people globally, no matter where they live. That’s why 67% of surveyed children, based on a list of factors, were categorised as those who are indirectly harmed by wars and conflicts all over the world. That means that even being not exposed to war personally can deeply affect children’s mental health and sense of security.

At the same time, the study similarly shows that nearly 1 in 4 children in 15 countries is directly impacted by war. War intensifies children’s worries in every aspect of their lives. Thus, children directly impacted by war are 78% more likely to feel unsafe at home, 42% more concerned about their appearance, and 41% more anxious about their academic performance than other children. These widespread concerns show how deeply war impacts daily life, increasing anxieties far beyond conflict’s immediate dangers. Only 31% of parents and 33% of children directly impacted by war rate their mental health as high, compared to 38% of parents and 42% who are not affected.

Children’s safety at school

The survey also discovered the topic of children’s safety and well-being at school. 8 out of 10 children have encountered situations at school that negatively impacted their safety and well-being. The most common issues reported are disruptive behaviour by other pupils (38%), physical bullying (24%), and witnessing violence against friends (23%) or teachers (15%). In Ukraine, 44% of children mentioned interruptions by air raids as a problem, while 19% of children in Iraq have faced unsafe school environments due to war damage.

Children’s safety online

Another important point of the research was the dangers of the Internet and children’s online security. The research reveals that social media play a more significant role in the lives of children than their parents. The most common forms of harmful online exposure among children include misinformation or ‘fake news’ (43%), violent content (35%), and hate speech (34%). Additionally, 31% of children know someone who has been bullied online or has come across adult content or pornography. These issues are particularly prevalent in Kenya, Qatar, Iraq, and Lithuania, where over 90% of children report knowing someone who has experienced online harm.

Children’s safety at home

The last focus of the survey was children’s well-being at home. This part of the research shows that more than 1 in 6 children worry about home safety. Notably, girls are more likely than boys to report feeling unsafe at home. The data also reveals that feeling unsafe at home, along with factors like household arguments or separation from a parent, significantly contributes to poorer mental health in children. Children who experience arguments at home are 44% more likely to have mental health issues, while separation from a parent increases the likelihood of mental struggles by 17%.

Nevertheless, very few children, including those who feel unsafe at home, lack someone to turn to for help or support. Generally, parents are the primary source of support for all children, but those feeling unsafe at home tend to rely more on their friends for support.

The research was conducted specifically for the Fourth Summit of First Ladies and Gentlemen by Catalyse Research together with BRAND UKRAINE with the support of the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).

You can view the detailed research findings via the following link.