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Do you feel hopeful about your future?

14th - 18th September 2026

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61507

Total votes

13602

5-11 votes

47904

11-16+ votes

Earlier this year, Children’s Commissioner for England, Rachel De Souza, launched the final survey of her tenure - The Big Future - to find out how children and young people across the country feel about their lives today. Asking what changes they want for their communities, their concerns and hopes for the future, the survey aims to find out what a good childhood looks like now, and in years to come. We are proud to have partnered with the Children’s Commissioner’s Office for this VoteTopic, with our voting results contributing to the final report, due to be published in 2027. There’s a growing sense that childhood is no longer childhood. New technologies, war, changing climate - the future can seem less certain and less hopeful than it has for a long time. Do young people agree? Do they have hope for their futures or is there little light at the end of tunnel?

All voters were asked, "Do you feel hopeful about your future?"

61,507 young people voted on this VoteTopic.

child

Age 5-11 voter

I am worried that AI is developing too rapidly and should be banned for at least a year or two to slow down the rate at which it is evolving.

teen

Age 11-16 voter

Lots felt unsure and uncertain. AI makes it feel like there will be no creative thinking and no jobs.

student

Age 11-16 voter

Many were hopeful about the future in terms of family and friends, but not so when it came to the political situation, economics and climate.

77.7% of Primary pupils voted that they feel hopeful about their futures.

  • Amongst Primary pupils, having a set idea of their future career was the most commonly shared reason for feeling hopeful.
  • The chance to experience many life events, such as starting a family or having one's own home were also commonly given reasons for hope.
  • Some voters had no idea of possible jobs and were generally uncertain about what the future might hold for them.
65.6% of Secondary students also voted that they were hopeful about their futures.

  • Many Secondary voters also found that being able to experience many life events, such as getting a job and attending university made them feel hopeful.
  • Some mentioned that they felt there were a large number of opportunities for them in today's world.
  • Secondary debates were largely dominated by concerns they had for the future. AI, cost of living, uncertain job prospects, war and the climate crisis all came up repeatedly.
67% of Secondary, 16+ & College students said employers should have to work with schools

  • All age groups shared concerns about AI and the effect it could have on the future.
  • Voters were worried about the effect it could have on jobs in the future and on its environmental impacts.
  • Some called for a slowing of development speed or even an outright ban.
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