NHS statistics indicate that the need for mental health support for children and young people in the UK is higher than ever, with 1 in 6 children (16%) reported as being in need of such help. Unchecked worry and anxiety in under-18s is a key contributor to this figure, with roughly 4 in 10 children (37.4%) saying they don’t receive regular support from their school or college
While everyone feels a touch of concern over the future now and then, chronic worry and anxiety can feel unending. This can cause significant damage to young people’s wellbeing – such as losing sleep, feeling emotionally drained, and having their school grades impacted. It’s vital that children and young people suffering from worry and anxiety have effective tools to manage their fears and regain control, and know when to seek further help. This Wake Up Wednesday, we’re offering expert guidance on how to provide that support.
The sharing of nudes, semi-nudes and other explicit material is a prominent issue in today’s digital landscape: both their distribution and their misuse. In fact, the National Crime Agency has issued an alert to hundreds of thousands of education professionals after a study found that 26,718 cases of “sextortion” had been reported in 2023 – more than doubling from the year before.
It’s vital for parents and educators to be aware of how they can safeguard children from exposure to, or involvement in, sharing intimate images – especially given that the sharing of such material featuring under-18s is a serious criminal offence. This week’s guide offers expert insight into the risks of sharing intimate images online, as well as tips on implementing measures to shield children from encountering inappropriate digital content of a sexual nature.
Trolling is the act of making inflammatory comments or behaving in an abusive manner online to hurt the feelings of others or provoke a reaction from them. It is estimated that in 2022, over a third (34%) of people in the UK who suffered online abuse were specifically victims of trolling. The repercussions of this type of online abuse can be severe, which is why it is imperative that parents and educators have the tools to mitigate the risk of harm to children and young people.
A 2023 report from the Gambling Commission found that 40% of 11–to 17-year-olds had some experience of gambling in the preceding 12 months. That’s a significant number of children and young people involved in an over 18s activity. Engagement and exposure to gambling can impact one’s finances, mental health and wellbeing. It is crucial we are all aware of the risks and know how to protect and support our children.
It is quite challenging to protect our children against exposure to gambling at any time, but especially around major sport events like Euro 2024. This week’s Wake up Wednesday guide tackles the most prominent risks that gambling poses to young people, and explains how best to protect against them.
A recent Sport England study found that less than half (47%) of children in the UK currently meet the Chief Medical Officers’ guidelines of taking part in an average of 60 minutes or more of sport and physical activity a day. While this figure may see a rise during the Euros, taking this chance to get children and young people engaged in regular exercise could cement the increase in a more permanent way.
However, it can be tricky to know where to start, or how best to encourage young people to stay active – so, our Wake up Wednesday guide is here to offer some tips. This week, we’re sharing expert advice on how to promote exercise and the importance of physical wellbeing for the younger generation.
