Kiwi kids wary of world leaders
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; 264m children and youth are out of school; and 5.6m 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 boy and budding cartoonist Walt Hamer, echoed the survey’s findings, and felt the dangers of climate change give him concern 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 worried Walt, which he worrys affects 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.
‘‘I like Jacinda [Ardern] because she once saw my mother in a bathroom and told her she was wearing a nice top,’’ he said.
‘‘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: ‘‘If our young people are telling us that they don’t feel listened to, then we need to start listening. World Children’s Day is a chance for us to acknowledge the role that young people play in our lives.
‘‘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.’’
If you had to choose one thing you think every young person like you in the world has a right to, what would it be?
“That there be neither racism nor exclusion because of the way we are.” – Mexico
“Freedom to express my own opinions and have them taken seriously.” – New Zealand
“A right for all people to have equal rights and dignity.” – South Africa
“Right to play.” – Malaysia “It would be peace in the country and peace in the world.” – Turkey
If you had a superpower to improve the lives of children, what would it be?
“The power to make everyone equal.” – Japan
“Buy them books, pay fees and give them good housing.” – Kenya
“It would be the superpower of defending them from any kind of abuse. To always be watching over them and encouraging them to move ahead.” – Mexico
“To turn dirty water into clean water to help stop diseases affecting children.” – South Africa
“Flying. So I could bring food to the poor children.” – The Netherlands.