If you want to learn a little bit more about the secret lives of teenage boys in the UK between 13 & 19 years old, read this article written by Simon Hattenstone, in the Guardian from October 10th 2009, summarising the Guardian Weekend commissioned survey of 1,000 boys by Echo Research.
Here are a few of the more interesting stats from the report...
'Some of the findings are predictable – 57% of boys spend at least one hour a day social networking online. More alarmingly, 10% spend at least five hours a day social networking online, 55% have been exposed to inappropriate online content, and 21% have had experience of cyber bullying. But perhaps the most astonishing finding is just how positive teen boys are: 95% believe their career prospects are good, 96% are ambitious about their future careers, 94% are happy in their home and family lives, 93% are happy in their social lives and 91% are happy in their school or work lives.'
The most annoying part of the survey is the continued demonisation of youth culture by UK institutions. Another more shocking story, concerned the children's charity -- yes charity!-- The Kids Company, who's poster was cited as being 'racist' by the UK's Advertising Standards Authority, for reinforcing negative stereotypes of young black youth.
If young people can't even be protected by a so-called sympathetic ear, then other institutions have an even further journey to travel.
