Why do schools need VBE now more than ever?
The negative influence of social media; parents constantly busy, with both often working even from home; social isolation and children’s growing tendency to stay indoors with screens instead of playing outside with peers; fear of bullying at school and incidents of cyberbullying online; weakened generational ties and limited contact with grandparents, relatives, and cousins; a lack of physical activity and time spent in nature; the rise of destructive youth subcultures and the risk of radicalisation through online content; constant anxiety fuelled by a stream of negative news; and deepening fears about the future as international conflict and climate change become real and visible threats — all of this takes a heavy toll on our children’s emotional and mental wellbeing.
What the evidence shows: Europe and the US
UK
A recent survey of young Britons (aged 16–21) found that 47% wished they had grown up in a world without the Internet.
Children and young people report lower happiness and life satisfaction than their peers across Europe — with girls faring even worse (31%) compared to boys (20%).
FRANCE
More than 40% of children in France access pornographic websites every month, according to a recent article in The Guardian.
As much as 88% of content features physical and sexual violence towards women: “the violence is real and the suffering is often perfectly visible”.
US
In the United States, approximately 20 million young people live with a mental health condition, which burdens their families with an additional $4,361 a year in medical expenses.
Around 20% of children aged 3 to 17 experience mental, emotional, or behavioural challenges.
A similar picture is emerging across Asia
INDIA
In India, more than 130 million children — around 30% of the population aged 0 to 18 — are affected by psychiatric disorders.
Nearly 45% of children have shown signs of psychological distress linked to academic pressure.
CHINA
In China, 17.5% of children have been diagnosed with a psychiatric disorder.
Around 3% are living with depression, and 4.7% with anxiety. Yet across the entire country, there are only about 500 child mental health specialists.
PAKISTAN
Among the more than 23 million children in Pakistan who are unable to attend school, anxiety, depression, and suicidal thoughts are widespread.
Yet the country has only around 1,000 psychiatrists serving the entire population — and just a handful of specialists for children.
Post-Soviet countries are also in trouble
RUSSIA
IIn Russia, 22% of children struggle with peer relationships, 16% with fears and phobias, 15% show signs of apathy and frequent crying, 13% engage in lying or stealing, and 12% have eating-related issues.
Among preschoolers, 60% are reported to have psychological or developmental disorders. For school-aged children, the figure rises to 70–80%.
UZBEKISTAN
In Uzbekistan, 24% of children live in poverty (UNICEF), and child labour remains widespread, affecting 21% of children aged 5 to 17. Among girls aged 15 to 24, 42% are neither in education nor employment.
Only 76% of children aged 14 and under have access to the internet, and school attendance among older students stands at just 88%.
KAZAKHSTAN
In Kazakhstan, 17.5% of children experience bullying on a regular basis (Ministry of Health, 2022), and the country ranks 17th in the world for youth suicide. There is only one child psychologist for every 500+ children.
Over 25% of parents are reported to violate their children’s right to privacy, and around 33% have had conflicts with their children over their online lives.
UNICEF: Understanding the Mental Health Impact of Global Challenges on Gen Z (14+)
We are in a time of crisis — from geopolitical conflict to climate anxiety, from mental health struggles to economic uncertainty. It can feel as though we are caught in a constant storm of challenges, with little control over the forces shaping our world…
6 in 10
Gen Z surveyed report feeling overwhelmed by news and events
4 in 10
of Gen Z still feel stigma in schools & workplaces
1 in 3
want to have a leading role in helping young people manage the impacts of the stress, anxiety, or being overwhelmed
only 52%
are knowledgeable about where to find resources and help to support their mental health and well-being
only 55%
of Gen Z find the activities / actions they do to manage stress / anxiety / overwhelm effective
74%
of Gen Z think schools should have a role or a leading role
Implementing values-based education (VBE) can help schools respond to many of these pressing challenges
How does it work?
Research shows that when a school culture is built on universal human values, it does not only supports children’s moral development and behaviour during their school years, but also helps shape a moral compass that guides them throughout life.
This kind of school atmosphere creates a ripple effect — a kind of chain reaction of kindness, honesty, respect, care — that touches not only children, but also their teachers, parents, siblings, friends, and extended family. Over time, it begins to influence the thoughts and actions of thousands of people, helping to lead society and the nation towards a kinder, fairer, and more hopeful future.