British teenagers increasingly unhappy, research shows

Teenagers in Britain are increasingly unhappy, a recent report by The Children’s Society has suggested.

The Good Childhood Report 2025 found that nine per cent of 10 to 17 yr olds are unhappy with their lives.

The charity said that in 14 years of measuring child happiness, this latest report showed a decline in child happiness across all six areas of life measured.

The survey looks at happiness with life as an entire, friends, appearance, school, schoolwork and family.

For the primary time since 2009, children reported a big drop of their happiness with their families.

School was the world that children were more than likely to feel unhappy about, with 11 per cent expressing dissatisfaction.

Many children reported worries about their future, with 43 per cent saying they were very or quite fearful about getting good grades at school.

Mark Russell, CEO at The Children’s Society, said, “It’s incredibly hard to see that children’s wellbeing and happiness proceed to say no.  Our report shows that life is just too tough for too many young people.

“Today’s teenagers are growing up in a world that feels louder and faster than ever. The constant noise – from academic pressures, social media and the sheer pace of life – may be overwhelming.   

“But I genuinely consider solutions are possible. With the correct support and opportunities in place, we might help quiet the noise and create a world where teenagers feel heard, supported and hopeful a few positive future.” 

Other issues raised were pressure to satisfy unrealistic beauty standards, peer pressure and difficulty to find a spot to belong.

Rising prices remained the highest issue for young people, with two in five (40%) saying they were ‘very’ or ‘quite’ fearful about this. Crime followed closely, with 38% reporting high levels of concern.

Social media appears to be a double edged sword for young people. On the one hand it might bombard them with negativity and the above social problems. However, it might also function a spot to attach with others and to develop friendship groups in less intense environments.

The Children’s Society has called upon the federal government to do more to support mental health in schools and has proposed “a trusted adult guarantee”. The idea appears to be just like a controversial plan floated in Scotland that every child must have a named adult liable for their wellbeing.