An average of 71 per cent of people believe children under 14 should not access social media, with 74 per cent of parents of school-age children sharing this view. As Australia prepares to introduce legislation later this year preventing under-16s from creating social media accounts, the research from IPSOS shows broad global support for age controls on online platforms.
The third edition of the Ipsos Education Monitor explored public opinion on national education systems, the challenges facing schools, and the role of technology in learning.
- Europe shows the most critical opinions of education systems. Majorities in Hungary (59%), France (55%) and Romania (54%) consider their education systems poor. Negative views are also prevalent in Germany, Spain, Italy, and Belgium.
- Ireland stands out as positive, with 71% saying education is in good shape. In Britain, 49% say the system is performing well.
Mental Health Emerges as the Top Challenge
Mental health is viewed as the most pressing issue facing young people today.
- On average, 33% of respondents identify mental health as the top challenge. This is ahead of inequality (28%), bullying (26%), and social media (25%).
- More than half (53%) believe youth mental health in their country is poor, with the highest concern reported in Chile (73%) and France (69%).
School Subjects: Favorites and Divides
When asked about favorite school subjects:
- History ranks as the most popular overall, followed by maths and science.
- Maths is divisive: 30% say it was their favorite, while 37% list it as their least favorite. Singapore respondents both love and dislike maths in equal measure.
- Older generations tend to associate certain subjects with gender, such as science and maths for boys and literature for girls. Younger generations show far less distinction, particularly in science and maths.
Takeaways
The study highlights global concern for youth wellbeing, particularly mental health, and shows widespread support for protecting children from social media exposure at a young age. It also points to shifting attitudes around gender roles in education, with younger generations demonstrating more equal interest in traditionally gendered subjects.