Research: 50% of teens feel anxious without smartphones
June 13, 2024
Half of teenagers aged 13-18 said they feel anxious when they do not have their smartphones with them, a survey commissioned by BBC Radio 5 Live and BBC Bitesize reveals.
The online poll, conducted by Survation, surveyed 2,000 teenagers aged 13-18 asking them questions on a range of different issues affecting teenage lives. These topics ranged from anxiety and social media, phone use and addiction, to sexual harassment and street safety.
The survey also revealed that three quarters (74 per cent) said they wouldn’t consider swapping their smartphones for a more basic device that only allows phone calls and text messages. A quarter (25 per cent) said they use their phones for more than five hours on a typical day.
On a positive note, 75 per cent of teens questioned said they feel positive about their future, with only 11 per cent feeling negative about lies ahead.
Heidi Dawson, Controller of BBC Radio 5 Live, says: “Understanding how teenagers feel and think about the world is crucial and this survey provides fascinating insights. Some of the findings are eye-opening and the research shows there is a big conversation needed on teen issues and mobile phone use.”
Head of BBC Education Helen Foulkes said: Head of BBC Education Helen Foulkes added: “BBC Bitesize provides a wide range of content to help young people thrive and survive during their school years and this survey gives us an even better insight into the challenges, concerns and aspirations of teenagers across the UK. We’re delighted to be able to help them navigate these things, and understand themselves better, with the launch of the Bitesize World of Wellbeing podcast and the My Teenage Brain series. Both are fantastic additions to the amazing help and advice already available on Bitesize Study Support.”