Girlguiding – Written Evidence (LOL0033) 1. Overview As the leading charity for girls and young women in the UK, our submission is focused on our evidence of girls and young women’s experiences during the pandemic and what impact this has on them now and for the future, as well as research we’ve collected as part of the wider context of girls’ lives online over the past decade. Given children and young people are spending more time online and on social media than they were before the pandemic, we welcome this inquiry and the opportunity for them to share their experiences and inform the development of measures and decisions during this difficult time. 1.1. Girlguiding believes that a thriving civil society will be a key part of ensuring communities are connected. Strong communities can build support and resilience to help people in difficult times. Our submission focusses on Girlguiding’s research and initiatives that relate to the topic areas covered in the consultation. 2. Relevant evidence 2.1. We reference data from the Girls’ Attitudes Survey, Girlguiding’s annual research project into the lives of girls and young women, aiming to build a comprehensive picture of the emerging needs, issues and priorities of girls and young women today. The survey provides a snapshot of the views of over 2,000 girls and young women from across the UK aged 7 to 21, within and outside Girlguiding. Since 2009, we have covered a range of issues affecting girls from education, wellbeing, aspirations, social action, and safety on- and off-line. 2.2. Our research with girls during lockdown ‘Early findings on the impact of Covid-19 on girls and young women’ revealed the crisis is having a significant impact on mental health including from appearance pressures online. The research took place in May 2020 and gathers the views of almost 7,000 girls and young women aged 4 to 18 across the UK. 2.3. We also include references to the Scouts, who have provided information for us to include.28% of whose young members are girls and young women, whose online sessions and socially distanced activities represent additional context. 2.4. Our response to the Women and Equalities Committee’s inquiry into body image highlights the relentless and harmful pressures that girls and young women face around their appearance and how they should look. 3. Life online in a pandemic – our research Time online 3.1. It’s no surprise that girls and young women are spending more time online as a result of Covid-19, with many connecting to loved ones this way through new apps and games, and using online spaces to learn and have fun. The vast majority (85%) of girls aged 15 to 18 told us they were spending more time on social media during the first lockdown in May. But with this, they also told us they faced increased pressures around their appearance, what they’re doing and navigating increased fake news and misinformation with 20% aged 15 to 18 saying they felt more pressured to be online all the time. Physical health 3.2. According to our Covid-19 survey, girls were doing less physical activity during lockdown (in the Spring). For girls aged 11 to 18, 30% reported doing more than before, 30% the same as before, and 41% less than before. Whilst an increased reliance on digital technology might be a contributing factor to this trend, it’s important to recognise the other potential factors. It might be due to fear of the virus, restrictions and shielding that has meant less time outdoors, and the closure of schools, gyms and youth groups could also have had an impact. It might also be due to feelings of unhappiness, as our wider research revealed that 28% of girls aged 7 to 21 said that feeling unhappy stops them from doing the things that they enjoy, including physical activity (Girls’ Attitudes Survey 2018). 3.3. Pressures to take part in physical activity might also be acting as a barrier for girls and young women. Our 2020 Girls’ Attitudes Survey shows that two in five (42%) aged 11 to 21 feel pressured to be physically active because what they see on social media makes them want to change how they look. ‘I think girls are struggling with pressures to use this time to lose weight and get a ‘summer body.’ Young woman, aged 15-18 3.4. We know from ours and others research that girls and young women take part in physical activity less than boys and men and that they face specific barriers to this. This includes (although may not be limited to) a lack of choice that meets their needs, fear of being judged and harassment. Mental health 3.5. Mental health has been and will continue to be a key issue for young people. We are very concerned that the impact of this crisis will further exacerbate the challenges girls and young women face. The situation for girls’ mental health before Covid-19 was already incredibly worrying. Girls and young women in the UK report levels of wellbeing amongst the lowest in Europe and significantly lower than boys and young men in the UK.i Our research shows that girls’ and young women’s happiness has declined in the last decade.ii With increased worries and uncertainty at this time, alongside increased pressures online, we expect happiness to be negatively impacted. 3.6. In our Covid-19 report, a quarter of girls aged 11 to 14 (24%) and half of girls aged 15 to 18 (51%) reported that coronavirus and lockdown had a negative impact on their mental health. A third (33%) aged 4 to 10 said they felt sad most of the time. Two in five aged 15 to 18 said they felt stressed (45%) and worried (42%) most of the time. Young women aged 15 to 18 particularly reported feeling worried, stressed and overwhelmed. The factors most affecting them were uncertainty about school and education (76%), feelings of loneliness and isolation (51%) and a lack of freedom and independence (44%). Social media 3.7. It’s important to note that being online brings many benefits to young people when it comes to learning, connecting and participating in public life. Our latest Girls’ Attitudes Survey showed that 44% aged 13 to 21 talk to people online about the things they care about. 3.8. However, our research also shows, that even before this intensified period, social media can be a significant pressure for girls: 59% aged 11-21 say pressure from social media is one of the main causes of stress (2018) 45% aged 11-21 check their phone first thing in the morning and last thing at night (2019) 41% say they’d like to spend less time on social media (2019) Harms, harassment and abuse online 3.9. Our wider research shows that online abuse and harassment is an issue that particularly affects girls and young women. In 2019, 39% aged 11-21 said they’d seen upsetting or harmful images/videos online which they wish they hadn’t. And in 2018 almost half (47%) aged 11-21 had experienced unkind things said to them on social media and a quarter (25%) had experienced threatening things said about them on social media. For 24% aged 13-21, sexist comments had been made about them online. 3.10. We are concerned that with the current situation, where people are using the internet more, girls and young women are at a higher risk of harassment and abuse online and could be exposed to unwanted sexual imagery and harmful content. Reports by the Internet Watch Foundationiii and Barnardo’siv have also reflected these concerns. We believe that more should be done to ensure that the online world is safe and free from abuse for children and young people to use, especially as we continue to connect in this way. 3.11. Our 2018 Girls’ Attitudes Surveys shows: 24% aged 11-21 had been sent photos or content by someone they knew that upset them 22% aged 11-21 had embarrassing photos of them sent to other people at school/college/university 8% aged 13-21 had photos of a sexual nature sent to other people at school/college/university 3.12. Our 2017 Girls’ Attitudes survey asked about their top worries online and girls said: Threats from strangers (64% aged 7-10, 43% aged 11-16, 26% aged 17-21) People pretending to be someone else online (61% aged 7-10) Grooming (45% aged 11-16) Bullying (50% aged 7-10, 36% aged 11-16) How a picture might be used (40% aged 7-10, 34% aged 11-16) Seeing rude pictures (53% aged 7-10) Seeing unwanted pornography (35% aged 11-16) Sexual harassment (32% aged 17-21) Body image 3.13. Low body confidence is a serious issue for many girls and young women that limits their lives and opportunities. Our Covid-19 Survey shows that girls and young women are facing more pressures during the pandemic: 28% aged 15-18 feel more pressured to be productive and share the things they’ve achieved on social media 26% feel more pressured to look a certain way on social media, e.g. lose weight or exercise ‘Seeing models and influencers on social media is challenging when people compare themselves to them all the time.’ Young woman, 17-18 ‘I find it hard to go through Insta because everyone looks perfect and it lowers my self-confidence.’ Young woman, 19-21 Social media can be an important way for young women to connect, learn and have their voices heard.