UK ‘tweens’ reveal world of worries

Youngsters have the weight of the world on their shoulders, worrying about everything from friendships to the environment, a survey of parents suggested.

Rather than the traditional image of the celebrity-obsessed youngster, pre-teens are more concerned with the world around them and helping others, according to a poll by parenting website Netmums.

The survey questioned more 1,500 parents of eight-to-13-year-olds – so-called “tweenagers”, who are no longer small children but not yet teenagers either.

The findings show more than four-fifths (81 per cent) of parents say their “tween” worries. Fretting about friendships was cited as the top worry (69 per cent) followed by schoolwork and tests (57 per cent).

But almost one in four (24 per cent) of those questioned said their youngster worries about natural disasters, and one in six (15 per cent) said their child is concerned about the environment.

One in 10 (10 per cent) said their “tween” was worried about terrorism and wars.

A total of 44 per cent said their son or daughter does worry about their looks, while just over a third (38 per cent) said their youngster was worried about their body.

The poll suggests “tweens” are concerned about the people around them.