Jersey pupils impacted by low self-esteem levels

School work and friendships were among the biggest concerns for pupils in Jersey

More than a quarter of young people in Jersey have lower levels of self-esteem, according to a survey.

Statistics Jersey said the results from its 2024 Jersey Children and Young People's Survey, filled out by school pupils in years 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12, showed 26% classed themselves as having low or medium-low self-esteem.

It said girls worried more than boys in each year group and school-related issues were the main concerns for participants.

The survey's results also reported 74% of the 4,360 children who took part described their health as good or very good and 90% enjoyed spending time with their parents or carers, Statistics Jersey added.

Ian Cope, chief statistician of Jersey, thanked the children and young people who took part in the survey.

"By doing so, they have enabled the production of what I hope will prove to be an extremely valuable report which will enable better services for the children and young people of Jersey," he said.

School work concerns

The survey suggested the most common worries for primary school children were school tests and school work, scoring 26% and 24% respectively.

What people think of you (22%) and friendships (19%) were the next biggest concerns for primary school pupils.

For secondary school students, work load was the biggest concern with 46% saying they worried about it "often or every day".

School tests (45%), what people thought of them (39%), and the way they looked (36%) were the next three highest concerns.

Social media use

E-safety was one of the areas Statistics Jersey asked participants about, with 59% saying they had a social media account in their own name.

The results showed 37% of young people had sent messages to a stranger online and 36% of girls felt pressured to look or appear a certain way on social media.

Other questions included how many had smoked cigarettes, used vapes, drunk alcohol or taken drugs.

Statistics Jersey said 81% of Year 10s and 59% of Year 12s said they had never smoked, while 60% of people in the latter group had tried an e-cigarette with 25% saying they vaped currently.

It added 55% of young people said they had never consumed alcohol and 21% of Year 12s had used herbal cannabis.