Online Safety and the Rising Cost of Living Top the List of Concerns Among Young People

New research from Samsung reveals how societal issues are impacting young people in the UK, with almost three quarters (73%) of 11–15-year-olds surveyed expressing concerns about the future

Online safety (47%) and the cost of living (61%) top the list of concerns, with climate change (43%) and physical safety (36%) also coming out as important issues

While over four in five (81%) young people express a desire to make a positive difference to the world we live in, less than half (49%) feel the current, school curriculum prepares them to tackle societal issues

The research comes as Samsung’s Solve for Tomorrow Next Gen challenge returns for a fifth year, encouraging the next generation of innovators to design tech for good solutions, helping to solve the societal problems they may face in the future.

LONDON, U.K. – May 01, 2025 – Almost two thirds (64%[1]) of young people surveyed in the UK feel anxious about the future, according to new research from Samsung. The poll of 1,000 11–15-year-olds in the UK found online safety (47%) and the rising cost of living (61%) top the list of concerns among young people as they venture into adulthood.

Over seven in ten (72%[2]) young people surveyed feel more worried about the rising cost of living today than they did a year ago, fuelled by worries about the potential impact on their parents’ financial situation (77%[3]). Almost a third (32%) also expressed concerns about how they will get a job when they are older to support themselves, with fears that they do not have the necessary skills to cope in an increasingly digital and AI-driven world (23%).

Samsung commissioned the new research as it launches its Solve for Tomorrow Next Gen tech for good idea challenge, which encourages the next generation of innovators across the UK to help solve societal problems. This year’s theme, Living Well: Tech for a Happier, Healthier World, is designed to help young people solve problems they care about. Over four in five (81%[4]) express a desire to make a positive difference to the world we live in, yet the research reveals that less than half (49%[4]) feel the current, school curriculum prepares them to tackle societal issues.

Alongside the rising cost of living, online safety was also revealed to be another major source of concern among young people. Of those surveyed, 47% worry about the potential harms and dangers while using the internet, while more than half (58%[3]) reported feeling more concerned about online safety than they did a year ago today.

Young people are more determined than ever to meet these challenges head-on. In last year’s Solve for Tomorrow challenge, Millie from William Farr School was awarded first place in the 11-13 category for her innovation ‘My Bear’, which encourages children and young people to tackle hate by learning about other cultures. By linking the bear to an app, the user is rewarded with points. Meanwhile, Lorelei, Ruby, and Riya from Croydon High School, were awarded first place in the 13-15 category for their entry – a covert safety bangle designed to support girls and women whilst travelling alone. This year, young people from up and down the country will take part to create their own tech solutions to societal problems and have the chance to win some fantastic tech prizes.

Commenting on the competition launch, Soohyun Jessie Park, Head of Corporate Social Responsibility at Samsung Electronics UK, said: “We’re calling out to secondary schools across the UK and Ireland to join our tech for good idea challenge. Since launching in 2021, Samsung Solve for Tomorrow Next Gen has reached 180,093 young people, and we’ve seen 2064 tech-for-good ideas – the programme is all about inspiring the next generation of innovators, and we can’t wait to see what young people come up with this year. Along with entering the challenge, we welcome teachers to make use of our free resources all year round on design thinking, careers in tech, and new for this year and part of our educational online safety tools and resources; how to use AI responsibly.”

In support of the Solve for Tomorrow Next Gen programme, Dr. Vee Kativhu, Founder & Director of Empowered by Vee, added: “As someone who grew up in a single-parent, lower-income household, I know first-hand how life-changing having access to technology and education can be. It was free resources, a library laptop, and opportunities like this that opened the doors for me to go on to study at both Oxford and Harvard University. Samsung’s Solve for Tomorrow Next Gen competition gives young people that same chance — to turn their ideas, creativity, and passion into real solutions that make the world happier, healthier, and safer. I’m proud to support a challenge that believes in the power of young people and invests in their future.”

Entries for the Samsung Solve for Tomorrow Next Gen tech for good challenge are now open until 25^th July 2025 with more information on how to enter here.

[1] Combining answer options “Very anxious” and “Fairly anxious”.

[2] Combining answer options “Much more concerned” and “Somewhat more concerned”.

[3] Combining answer options “Very concerned” and “Somewhat concerned”.

[4] Combining answer options “Very well” and “Fairly well”.