Majority of younger individuals assume social media needs to be banned for under-16s | EUROtoday

Two thirds of younger adults within the UK imagine social media needs to be banned for under-16s, a survey has discovered.

The UK Youth Poll survey noticed greater than 2,000 individuals aged 16 to 29 questioned about their attitudes and priorities overlaying matters akin to poisonous masculinity, democracy, job safety and immigration.

Around 67 per cent of respondents imagine social media needs to be banned for under-16s. The identical proportion stated poisonous masculinity is turning into extra frequent, in response to the survey carried out by the University of Glasgow’s John Smith Centre (JSC).

It discovered that younger individuals are “concerned” with the state of democracy within the UK. Those surveyed again democracy over dictatorship by 57 per cent to 27 per cent, however 63 per cent imagine it’s “in trouble” and almost three-quarters (72 per cent) stated it has turn out to be “too divided”.

open picture in gallery

More than half (51 per cent) imagine immigration has modified communities for the higher, whereas almost 73 per cent stated they imagine racism is a “significant issue” within the UK.

Meanwhile, greater than a 3rd (36 per cent) of respondents stated they needed politicians to be “more open and honest”, and 27 per cent wish to see extra younger individuals in management roles.

Dr Elisabeth Loose, who led the survey, stated: “Young people are undoubtedly worried about the future of the UK and they are concerned about the state of democracy.

“As to what young people want from politics, the answer is a more open, honest political culture which provides answers to their basic needs. This is a generation that thinks our politics is too divided and wants politicians to come up with deliverable solutions.”

Issues referring to cash and work had been named as the primary contributors to nervousness and nervousness, younger individuals stated. Financial worries (37 per cent), work stress (23 per cent) and job safety or unemployment (20 per cent) had been essentially the most generally cited.

But almost two-thirds (63 per cent) of younger individuals say they’re optimistic about their future and almost three-quarters (72 per cent) describe themselves as “either rather or very happy”.

Dr Loose added: “Our poll makes it clear that young people are positive, they support our democratic inheritance and many want to play a part in it – if only they were given an opportunity to do so.”

James Kanagasooriam, chief analysis officer at polling firm Focaldata, stated the outcomes display that the 16 to 29-year-old age group is “highly heterodox”.

The ballot exhibits that the “old narrative of a monolithic ‘generation war’ pitting young people against all older people is becoming obsolete”, Mr Kanagasooriam stated.

“In fact, the differences within the youth generation by class, education, gender, ethnicity and region are often more pronounced than the differences between generations.

“These patterns challenge any simple characterisation of Gen Z – they are largely independent-minded, unexpectedly energised in the conservative flank and more willing to participate in civic life than society often assumes.”

Young males are typically extra right-wing than younger ladies, however most sit within the centre floor, the ballot discovered.

Those in work or with a level are extra optimistic and engaged than those that are long-term unemployed or much less well-educated.

The ballot was carried out by the JSC in partnership with pollster Focaldata and was sponsored by the Nationwide Building Society. Fieldwork was carried out between 4-12 February, with a complete of two,039 individuals aged 16-29 being surveyed.