Aditi Tandon

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, November 18

A landmark new survey by Unicef has shown that youth and children embody the spirit of 21st century much more than their parents and remain much more hopeful than their elders about solutions.

Published on Thursday on the eve of the World Children’s Day (November 20), the first intergenerational poll shows that even in the face of the Covid-19 pandemic, climate change and other global challenges, children and youth are nearly 50 per cent more likely than older people to believe that the world is becoming a better place.

Titled “The Changing Childhood Project”, the survey, conducted by the UN Children’s Fund (Unicef) and Gallup, the global analytics firm, is the first poll of its kind to ask multiple generations for their views on the world.

“Today’s young people have concerns for the future, but see themselves as part of the solution. Despite numerous reasons to be pessimistic, children and youth refuse to see the world through the bleak lens of adults. Compared to older generations, the world’s young people remain hopeful, much more globally minded, and determined to make the world a better place,” said Henrietta Fore, Unicef executive director.

‘Improvement in healthcare, education’

• Social security: Surveyed youth say childhood has improved; healthcare, education and physical safety better today than previous generation
• Climate change: Participants, particularly those set to be hit more, want significant action to address issue
• Social media: Sceptical about information coming from social media; struggle with feelings of depression, anxiety
• News & info: Trust national govts, scientists and international news media as sources of accurate information
• Net surfing: 80% see serious risks for kids online, such as exposure to violent or sexually explicit content or being bullied