Parents’ views on children and young people’s wellbeing
New research from Opinium for Anna Freud explores parents’ views of children and young people’s wellbeing, including the factors they believe contribute to good wellbeing and the issues causing concern for their own children.
The research looks across different aspects of children’s lives, from relationships with friends and family and experiences at school to screen use, community connections, resilience and hopes for the future. Overall, 78% of parents agree that their child generally has good wellbeing, while 79% say their child is well fed and safely housed, 77% that they have positive relationships with friends and family, and 76% that they have opportunities to do things they enjoy.
The research also explores parents’ perceptions of the wider pressures affecting children’s wellbeing today, alongside their concerns for their own children now and as they grow older.
See the full data tables here.
Research methodology
Opinium conducted an online survey of 1,120 UK parents between 21st and 28th July 2026. Results were weighted to be nationally representative of UK parents. The survey was conducted through a nationally representative omnibus of UK adults aged 18+, meaning the age distribution of parents within the sample was not separately balanced.