NI young 'do not fear terrorism'

By Fiona Murray
BBC News

Children in NI are 'not that concerned' about terrorist attacks

Children in Northern Ireland are less concerned about terrorism than those in the rest of the UK, a survey has indicated.

A study of children's lifestyles showed that NI children are more worried about animal cruelty and homelessness.

Some 1,000 children, aged six to 12, were interviewed for the CBBC Newsround poll. One hundred of those live in NI.

It suggested 29% of NI children think there are more bad people than good; and 2% considered carrying a weapon.

The survey, published on Monday, aimed to find out what it is like to be a child, their hopes and fears, what they love, what aspires them and their thoughts about the future.

Half of those interviewed in Northern Ireland said they did not know their nationality, however, 23% said they were British, 14% said they were Irish, whilst four said they were English.

NI survey results 95% believe in God 68% of families eat together most nights 61% do not like school 50% say parents worry too much

Turning to religion, the survey found that girls, younger children and those from Northern Ireland were all more likely to believe in God.

Some 95% of those spoken to in Northern Ireland said they believed in God - the highest proportion of any of the regions - and 65% of them said they prayed most days.

The survey asked about any change in diet because of media coverage about healthy eating.

It indicated that 51% of Northern Ireland children were likely to have changed their eating habits, followed closely by children in the south of England (47%).

The survey also indicated that 68% of families in Northern Ireland eat together on five or more nights a week.

There were also questions about friendships.

Some 38% of the children in Northern Ireland said they did not have friends from different backgrounds or religions, 36% said they did have such friends, but only 17% said they would consider children from these groups as their best friends.

As regards children's safety, it appears Northern Ireland children are less concerned about their parents worrying than in other parts of the UK.

Only 50% of Northern Ireland children said their parents worried too much, whereas 78% of children in Scotland had the same concerns.

In Northern Ireland, 18% of children feel least safe in the dark, but some feel unsafe on a street or a plane.

Education was also an issue.

According to the survey, children in Northern Ireland are the least concerned about exam results in the UK, and just over half believed good results are the key to success in life.

The survey also indicated that children in Northern Ireland enjoyed school less than the rest of the UK; some 61% did not like school at all, and almost half of those children in Northern Ireland would like more PE in school.