‘Tweenagers’ fret about friendships and environment

Rather than the usual image of the celebrity-obsessed youngster, pre-teens are more concerned with the world around them and helping others, according to a poll by the parenting website Netmums.

The survey questioned more 1,500 parents of eight to 13-year-olds – “tweenagers”.

The findings show more than four-fifths (81 per cent) of parents say their “tween” worries. Fretting about friendships was cited as the top worry (69 per cent) followed by schoolwork and tests (57 per cent).

But almost one in four (24 per cent) of those questioned said their youngster worried about natural disasters, and one in six (15 per cent) said their child was concerned about the environment.

Netmums co-founder Siobhan Freegard said: “Today’s Generation You is philanthropic, caring towards others and they take on the worries of adult life.”