Classroom Insecurity: 1 in 3 Teens Worldwide Don’t Feel Safe in Their Own School

The following is excerpted from an online article posted by StudyFinds.

A new study from Finland’s University of Turku finds adolescents around the globe fear for their safety with one in three saying they feel unsafe in their own school.

Overall, their survey of more than 21,000 teens between 13 and 15 discovered that 31.4 percent feel unsafe at school. Importantly, these children did not come from the United States, researchers surveyed adolescents from 13 nations throughout Europe and Asia between 2011 and 2017.

On one end of the spectrum, two in three children in Japan say they feel unsafe when they go to class, with 69.8 percent of girls and 68.2 percent of boys saying this. On the opposite end, just 11.5 percent of girls in Finland and 7.7 percent of boys in Norway fear going to school.

The study found that if a student feels their teacher cares about them, they’re more likely to feel safe in school. Fair, clear, and consistent rules while in class also contributed to a student’s feeling of safety.

Meanwhile, students who experience bullying reported feeling less safe on school grounds. Researchers add that the result of feeling less safe at school can lead to mental health problems, which stay with a child throughout their life.

“Physically, cognitively and emotionally safe school environment is essential for the development and educational success of children and young people. All children have the right to attend schools where they can feel safe and protected without fear or anxiety of any danger. In the wake of recent school shootings, we must take steps to enhance safety in educational settings and protect students from all forms of violence and abuse,” said research leader Dr. Andre Sourander.

Source: StudyFinds
https://www.studyfinds.org/teens-dont-feel-safe-in-school/