Research summary

The main findings of the independent ‘Are Young People Being Heard?’ research are shown below. A graphical representation of the results can be seen here.

1. The voices of children and young people are not being heard in the UK

only 47 percent of children and young people agree that adults listen to young people and act on what they hear
83 percent of adults say it is very important to listen but only 57 percent agree that adults do listen and act
72 percent of girls see listening as ‘very important’ compared to 55 percent of boys
88 percent of adult women think that listening to young people is ‘very important’ compared to 78 percent of men

“Young people have got a lot to say but they are not heard. Some people are not letting them get it out.” *

2. Children believe the best listeners are parents and friends; but young people want improvements across the board

children and young people believe the best listeners are friends (89 percent), parents/guardians (87 percent), help-lines (75 percent) and the media (66 percent)
the people who are worst at listening are local and high street shops (31 percent and 32 percent), government (35 percent) and the local council (37 percent)
organisations they want to listen more are police and the government, followed by their local council

3. Young people want a say in the home, in school and in the community

Adults tend to think that young people are more concerned with personal issues than they really are. The things that young people believe they should have a say on include:

how schools could improve things (73 percent)
how to have more fun as a family (63 percent)
how the council could improve local services (61 percent)
how police treat young people (62 percent)

In personal terms, the most important issues young people want to talk about are:

bullying (65 percent)
sex and relationships (58 percent)
problems at school (53 percent)
abuse (43 percent)
drugs (39 percent)

4. Young people and adults agree that listening could have real benefits. Both groups agree that listening could:

improve understanding between adults and young people (children 80 percent / adults 67 percent)
improve the confidence of young people (children 67 percent / adults 55 percent)
help resolve problems (children 64 percent / adults 59 percent)

5. Where do young people get their information?

78 percent of young people said parents/guardians are an important source of information (adults said 73 percent)
friends were second at 70 percent (adults said 62 percent), followed by teachers, magazines and the internet
TV news, newspapers and the radio

6. The main barriers stopping children and young people talking to adults are:

they feel embarrassed (87 percent)
they think they might get into trouble (66 percent)
they don't want to get someone else into trouble (58 percent)

7. Both adults and young people have suggestions on how to improve things

adults taking more time to listen to young people (36 percent children / 42 percent adults)
a ‘listening’ internet site for young people (47 percent children / 28 percent adults)
help in school from people their own age (49 percent children / 41 percent adults)
help in school from teachers/other adults (55 percent adults / 38 percent children)

* Young person quoted from the ‘Are Young People Being Heard?’ research