New research reveals majority of young people in Ireland are hopeful for the future post COVID-19

Almost 70 per cent of young people (aged 16-19) in Ireland are optimistic that society will change for the better in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to new research from Young Social Innovators and  Amárach Research.

The results of the research come five and a half weeks since the closure of schools across the country, and offers rich insight into how young people are coping with life during the ongoing public health emergency, and of their perceptions of what life may look like afterwards. Key findings include:

• 37 per cent of young people are feeling calm, positive, motivated and enthusiastic during the current pandemic, while 53 per cent are feeling anxious, stressed or depressed.
• 66 per cent of young people surveyed have spoken to, or confided in a family member or friend about how they are feeling as a result of COVID-19.
• Maintaining a connection to friends is important for young people amidst the crisis, with almost 70 per cent  spending more time on the phone / internet with friends while confined to the home.
• Almost all young people surveyed feel they have some knowledge of COVID-19, with six in 10 stating that they know a lot.
• 70 per cent of young people are engaging with the news at least once a day, with over 80 per cent getting their news from television.
• There is clarity among the majority of young people regarding hand washing etiquette and social distancing, and they have a clear understanding of the importance of following Government guidelines. However, young people are less clear around what to do if
• The majority (94 per cent) of young people have stopped going out to meet up with friends; 80 per cent are keeping at least two metres apart from people when in public; 78 per cent are practising strict handwashing, and 68 per cent are practicing proper co
• Almost 80 per cent of young people are using an app to keep in touch with friends, with Snapchat (83 per cent) and Instagram (57 per cent) the most-used platforms.
• There is a strong interest among young people in helping out in their community, with 52 per cent of those surveyed having a desire to help, or are already helping.
• More than eight in 10 young people feel COVID-19 is impacting on their life a lot.

Those surveyed hope that wider society will re-evaluate life, and appreciate that which may have previously been taken for granted. They are also aware of communities coming together and hope that this will continue, as well as the positive environmental impact of the economic shutdown.

Such contribution and participation should be encouraged and enabled as we collectively deal with and begin to emerge from this crisis to rebuild our country. Any discussions of the kind of world we wish to live in after this crisis must include young people’s perspectives