Childhood is getting tougher as kids worry about adult issues from Brexit to terrorism, research finds

CHILDHOOD is getting tougher with kids worrying about everything from Brexit to terrorism, research reveals.

Almost all children fret about issues that used to bother only grown-ups, a poll for charity Action for Children shows.

Half worry about poverty, homelessness and terrorism, while four in ten are bothered by Brexit. Others are troubled by the environment, knife crime and equality issues such as sexism and racism.

Charity chief executive Julie Bentley said: “The country is sleepwalking into a crisis in childhood and, far from being carefree, our children are buckling under the weight of unprecedented social pressures.”

"Our research shows children worry about poverty, homelessness and terrorism and the vulnerable children we work with every day are facing traumas like domestic abuse or neglect,

The findings were released for the charity’s Choose Childhood campaign, calling on the Government to establish a national strategy to put children first and to keep them safe.

Julie added: "For the past decade, the Government has been asleep on the job when it comes to investing in our children.

"The next Prime Minister must wake up to this growing crisis and put our children first."

It also showed six in ten parents and grandparents agreed childhood was becoming tougher.

Education Secretary Damian Hinds said growing up was being made harder by technology and social media pressures.

He said: "Although in many ways this is the best time yet to be young, I certainly recognise the pressures and worries young people feel.

"Technology and social media can exacerbate the need to fit in and the perception of others’ perfect lives, as well as make it harder to leave being bullied behind at the school gates.

“But we are equipping young people for adulthood in a changing world, by identifying mental health problems and providing support in schools."

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