Youth ‘worry over education impact’

THE coronavirus outbreak has made younger Britons anxious about its impact on their education, according to a survey by Snapchat.

The social media platform found that 65% of 13- to 17-year-old UK Snapchat users worried about the virus’s impact on their education.

The research also suggests as people get older, the impact on employment and finances becomes more of a concern, with nearly half (48%) of 25- to 34-year-olds admitting they are worried about their financial health.

Overall, the health of family and loved ones was the most commonly cited concern of Snapchat users, with 82% naming it as a source of anxiety, while just under half (47%) said they were concerned for their own health.

The research also highlighted that many found social media to be a vital tool in managing anxiety during the pandemic and social distancing measures.

Nearly three-quarters of those asked (72%) said staying in touch with friends was their number one way to calm stress and anxiety during self-isolation.

The photo and video-sharing platform said it was working with mental health charity Student Minds to provide tips and tools to those who want more information on how to handle anxiety or stress during the pandemic.

Although used by a wide range of age groups, Snapchat is most popular with teenage social media users and is the social media platform of choice for many under the age of 25.

Ed Couchman, Snapchat’s UK general manager, said: “Snapchat has always been a platform for connecting with your friends, and from this data, we know that our role is more crucial than ever.

“While we have always had a curated news platform, at this time we are highlighting information from trusted partners on the pandemic, through news on Discover, and creative tools in partnership with the World Health Organisation.

“We have also expedited the launch of Here For You to help with tools, advice and access to partners if Snapchatters need more help dealing with anxiety and stress caused by the pandemic.”

Natasha Devon, a trustee for Student Minds and involved in wellbeing programmes at a number of British universities, said: “It’s important to recognise that the fear and stress reported in these stats is a completely understandable and normal reaction to a highly unusual set of circumstances.

“That we are seeing high levels of anxiety, particularly in young people, does not indicate that there is something wrong with them - in fact, quite the opposite.

“The key is to acknowledge that inevitable stress and anxiety during this time is having an impact on us, both emotionally and physically, and to plan specific strategies for self-care, as well as seeking support if needed.”

Sphagnum moss being planted on Marsden Moor WILDLIFE including shorteared owls, curlews and mountain hares have returned to moorland devastated by fire a year ago, the National Trust said. Some 700 hectares (1,730 acres) of peatland habitat on Marsden Moor in West Yorkshire were scorched and destroyed in April 2019 by a blaze, started by a disposable barbecue, which took fire crews four days to put out. The National Trust said staff had worked over the winter to repair the habitat for wildlife and to put in measures to prevent future fires spreading, helped by £100,000 from a public fundraising appeal. Recent sightings of rare birds that nest on the ground, such as curlew and skylarks, as well as mountain hares spotted over the winter have raised hopes for rangers who feared entire populations may have been wiped out. But the Trust warned that the threat of fire to important habitat remains and is urging the public and landowners to take care amid the dry weather and at a time when fire services are stretched by coronavirus. Fire services have already issued warnings to members of the public to take care if exercising on moors and for landowners not to carry out controlled burning.