Child welfare NGO says half of junior high kids anxious about future

Taipei, Feb. 17 (CNA) A survey by the Child Welfare League Foundation has found that slightly more than half of junior high school students in Taiwan feel worried about their futures, with heavy social media use a major factor driving this anxiety.

The Taipei-based NGO revealed in a press release on Monday that 50.1 percent of the junior school students surveyed said they felt "worried about their future" and 39.1 put pressure on themselves to achieve future goals.

In addition, nearly a sixth (16.4 percent) of students said they felt depressed more than once every week, while 9.2 percent reported difficulty falling asleep and 8.8 percent experienced headaches.

Moreover, 37.7 percent of the young people were addicted to social media, the survey said, and those students were three times more likely to experience physical and mental problems.

Social media have become "shackles" causing considerable harm to the mental health and lives of young people, the Child Welfare League Foundation's statement said.

The group's findings were based on 747 questionnaires issued between Dec. 8, 2023, and Jan. 12, 2024, among junior high school students aged 13 to 15 across Taiwan's northern, central, southern and eastern regions.

Fewer than half (46.6 percent) of the respondents said they could discuss problems with their families, a concerning figure according to the NGO because children with limited family support are nearly twice as likely to exhibit emotional distress.

In response to these findings, the Child Welfare League Foundation put forward four suggestions for "creating a friendly environment of understanding and support for children."

Specifically, Taiwan's government should expand online counseling resources, and consider incorporating mental health assessments into regular youth screening programs.

The group also recommends that parents exercise with their children and that young people take advantage of online resources offered by the NGO such as "online talking services."

If you are experiencing suicidal thoughts in Taiwan, please call the 1925, 1995 or 1980 hotlines for help.