2023 Volume 73 Issue 5 Pages 26-61
In the summer of 2022, to investigate the lives, attitudes, and values of middle and high school students of the Reiwa Era (2019 onward), the NHK Broadcasting Culture Research Institute conducted a public opinion survey titled “The Sixth Survey on the Lives and Attitudes of Middle and High School Students,” aimed at middle and high schoolers and their parents. The previous survey was held ten years ago, and the environment surrounding these students have dramatically changed since then, with the proliferation of social media and the outbreak of COVID-19. The first half of this two-part report focuses on the stress amid the coronavirus pandemic as well as the personal relationships of middle and high schoolers living in an internet society. [Concerns and stresses amid the pandemic] - Stresses living in the pandemic situation include “can’t play at will” and “can’t go out.” Female students show higher percentages of these responses than males do. - As for present concerns, 60% of both middle and high schoolers cited “school grades/entrance exams (to high schools, universities, etc.). 30% of female students mention “appearance,” which is higher than male students. [Internet use of middle and high schoolers] - More than 90% of both middle and high schoolers use social media. - Of those posting on social media, more than 70% feel “not worried” even if they receive little response to their posts, and one out of four has posted for “unspecified readers.” Little resistance to social media and higher internet literacy is observed. [Change in personal relationships on social media] - 40% of high school students have “friends I have communicated with only on social media and never met.” - Those who “don’t have” friends to whom “I can talk about my serious problems” make up about 20% of both middle and high schoolers. [Anxieties and expectations for the future] - For both middle and high schoolers, more than 60% have “high expectations for my future.” Meanwhile, those feeling “anxieties” exceeded 70% for middle schoolers and 80% for high schoolers. - Regarding “to be treated as an adult from the age of 18,” as many as more than half of high schoolers feel “it’s too early.”
