UK Teen Survey Finds Exams Outweigh Social Media as Top Stressor

A 2025 BBC Radio 5 Live and BBC Bitesize poll of 2,000 British teenagers aged 13‑18 revealed that exam pressure is the leading source of anxiety, surpassing concerns about social media. Sixty‑nine percent of respondents reported feeling anxious at least sometimes, and 63% of GCSE or A‑Level students said coping with exams was hard. One‑third admitted to suicidal thoughts or self‑harm, while over half struggled with sleep.

The survey showed exams have more than twice the negative impact on mental health compared with social media. During the 2025‑26 year, Childline recorded 1,679 counselling sessions mentioning exam stress. Teens also reported heavy phone use—38% spend five hours or more daily—and frequent exposure to violent, sexist or racist online content. Additional worries include local knife crime (44%) and sexual harassment at school (30% of girls). Use of artificial intelligence for homework rose to 47%, up from 36% the previous year. Despite these challenges, 79% of respondents remain positive about their future.