This Is What Teenagers Say Is Worrying Them The Most

I often think it must be tough being a teenager right now – between the pressures of school life and the inability to get away from it all thanks to the 24/7 nature of social media, it sounds pretty exhausting.Now, a new survey by BBC Radio 5 Live and BBC Bitesize has shed some light on what it’s actually like being a teen in 2025.The online poll of 2,000 kids aged 13-18 explored the issues shaping their lives – from mental health and safety to the rise of AI.What is the biggest worry for teens?Getting kids to open up about what’s worrying them can be like drawing blood from a stone for plenty of parents. But the new survey has offered some insights into what teens worry about most.Over two-thirds (69%) of all participants reported feeling anxious at least some of the time, with pressure around exams and grades being the biggest worry.It’s not the first time exams have been cited as a major pressure point. Earlier this year, the mental health charity YoungMinds claimed exam stress is one of many factors contributing to record numbers of young people seeking mental health support.Its survey of 1,000 15- to 18-year-olds taking GCSE or A-Levels found 63% said it was hard to cope in the lead up to, and during, these exams. Of these, 13% had suicidal thoughts and 13% self-harmed. More than half (56%) had trouble sleeping.Among those struggling, 61% experienced anxiety and 40% worsening mental health, while 30% skipped meals and one in four (26%) had panic attacks.The research also found exams were more than twice as likely to have a significant negative impact on mental health than social media.What else did the new teen survey find?The latest findings, released as part of the Teen Summit coverage on BBC Radio 5 Live and BBC Bitesize, also found 65% of teens feel overwhelmed at least some of the time and almost three-quarters (74%) of girls feel anxious at least some of the time.Another eye-opening finding was just how much time teens are spending on their phones: more than a third (38%) spend five hours or more a day, while one in 20 spend eight hours or more.When they are online, more than half reported having seen sexist and racist content. Two in five (44%) said they have seen extremely violent content.In real life, 44% worry about knife crime in their local area and almost one third (30%) of teenage girls have experienced sexual harassment in school.Artificial intelligence is becoming increasingly popular among the younger generation, with almost half (47%) using it to help with homework or coursework.This is rising year-on-year – the figure was 36% in 2024 and 29% in 2023.Despite the challenges teens face today, nearly eight in 10 (79%) are feeling positive about their future. Heidi Dawson, controller of BBC Radio 5 Live, said: “Teenagers are growing up in a world that’s changing at speed. These findings provide insight into how much they’re navigating every day – from conspiracy theories online to concerns about AI and safety in their communities.”Listen to the Teen Summit on BBC Radio 5 Live and BBC Sounds on 16 September from 6am. Related...Teens Are Making An Unlikely Friend Online – One They Can Share Their 'Darkest, Strangest' Thoughts WithI'm A Child Psychiatrist – Don't Make This 1 Mistake When Talking To TeensUK Porn Age Verification Is Here – But What If We’re Sending Teens Somewhere Worse?

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This Is What Teenagers Say Is Worrying Them The Most

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