Kiwi kids say they feel voiceless
More than 90 per cent of New Zealand’s children believe the world would be a better place if politicians listened to them, however six out of 10 Kiwi kids don’t trust adults and world leaders to make good decisions for children.
They are among the findings of a global Unicef survey of children to mark World Children’s Day on November 20.
It also found Kiwi kids are more likely to look up to an entertainer for inspiration than to their Government or World Leaders, and the top four people children would invite their birthday celebrations are (in order) Justin Bieber, Taylor Swift, Barack Obama, and Katy Perry.
The survey, which polled 763 children in both urban and rural New Zealand, included boys and girls aged between 9 and 18, and results were weighted back to the national population proportion.
According to figures produced by Unicef, 385 million children live in extreme poverty; 264 million children and youth are out of school; and 5.6 million children under the age of five died last year from preventable causes.
Outside of school hours the survey found Kiwi kids spend most of their time on social media, watching television, hobbies, and playing inside – which was more popular than sports, reading, and homework.
While laptops and smartphones are the most commonly used devices, television is still the most popular way to for kids to get their news – followed by social media, radio, and the internet.
Natural disasters and threats to nature were among the top three things they worried being personally affected by – bullying or mistreatment was the other.
Wellington 12-year-old and budding cartoonist Walt Hamer, echoed the survey’s findings, and felt the dangers of climate change made him worried for his future.
‘‘I get worried if I will inherit a healthy planet from the people who live in it at the moment,’’ said Walt. ‘‘Children are basically just voiceless – we can’t vote, or make political decisions which might directly affect us.’’
Political corruption also concerned Walt, which he worrys will affect how strongly environmental issues are investigated.
However it didn’t stop him from choosing Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern as the person he would invite to his birthday party. ‘‘It would also be interesting to talk to her because she has a young person’s perspective.’’
Vivien Maidaborn , Unicef NZ’s executive director said: ‘‘Wouldn’t it be amazing if young people didn’t have to feel concerned for their safety and wellbeing? That’s the sort of New Zealand I think we all want.’’