Report finds nine out of ten young people use the internet for help with personal problems

A new report has found that nine out of ten young people turn to the internet for help with problems rather than family or friends.

The report, published by the charity Get Connected has found that young people under 25 are using the internet to search for help with a personal problem.

Get Connected commissioned a poll of 1,000 under 25 year olds in the United Kingdom.

Key findings include that only one third of young people (32%) will ask their mother for help with a problem, and just 5% would go to their father. More than half (53%) feel that when they find information online it actually makes them more worried and only one fifth (18%) of those asked said that they would double check any information they find online with another source like a friend or parent. 24% would not know who to turn to for help with emotional problems and only 42% of under 25s say they prefer to keep in touch with their friends in person.

The report findings highlight young people’s preference of using online channels to look for advice yet despite this almost a quarter (24%) of young people taking part in the poll admitted that they would not know where to turn for help if they were looking for support in relation to emotional problems, relationship issues, sexual issues and housing problems.

Fiona Clark, Get Connected's Chief Executive, commented, "Young people in Britain have grown up with the internet and mass communication engrained as a part of their daily lives. They are now exposed to more information than ever before, but as the Connected Generation Report has revealed that doesn't necessarily provide them with the quality of information and support that they need to get through these issues. Beyond their family and friends they need trusted sources to help them make an informed choice, whatever the problem may be."

Get Connected last year launched an online directory, WebHelp 24/7, a safe search engine for young people in the UK which guides young people towards the help and support they are looking for.

Fri, 19/03/2010 - 15:19