Young people express significant worries about the future, citing rising costs, climate change, and the impact of new technology, according to a study conducted at Nova Hreod Academy in Swindon. Year 7 students compared their expectations for 2070 with predictions made by children in the 1960s about the year 2000. These concerns reflect broader anxieties among young people, according to researchers.
Child psychotherapist Caroline Hickman, a researcher at the University of Bath, stated that a whole generation of children and young people perceive the future as frightening. Students at Nova Hreod Academy discussed both global issues and pressures closer to home. They used critical thinking to analyze how their fears aligned with or differed from those of past pupils.
Twelve-year-old Navaj noted, “We are going to have to prepare for a lot of bad stuff.” He also suggested that “we might have to start living underwater.” This sentiment captures the gravity with which some young people view environmental challenges and potential societal shifts.
Millie, also 12, observed, “Prices are going up in the shops and everything is getting very expensive.” Other students voiced fears about animal extinction, the potential for artificial intelligence to replace jobs, and the long-term effects of climate change. These economic and environmental anxieties are prominent among the students.
Beyond immediate concerns, students also imagined technological advancements. Navaj predicted that 2070 might feature “walking microwaves, floating phones and flying cars.” This blend of apprehension and futuristic imagination characterized the students’ outlook.
Hickman’s 2021 study, which surveyed 10,000 children globally about climate change, found that children are “very, very worried” and also “sad” about the issue. More than half of UK children surveyed, 51 per cent, believed humanity was “doomed.” These findings underscore the emotional toll environmental concerns take on young people.
Hickman emphasized the importance of adults engaging in open conversations with young people about their concerns. She stated, “One thing we can absolutely do is talk with our children about climate change.” She added that while climate change might not be tackled immediately, adults can ensure children are not left alone with their fears. “We must trust that children need to be part of the solution,” Hickman concluded.
The study highlights a generation grappling with significant uncertainties about their future. The extent to which these anxieties will shape policy decisions and educational approaches remains to be seen. Open dialogue between adults and young people is presented as a crucial first step in addressing these widespread concerns.
Future discussions will likely focus on how educational institutions and policymakers can integrate these youth perspectives into long-term planning. The ongoing challenge will be to foster resilience and agency among young people while addressing the root causes of their worries.