71% of the UK’s teenagers say they don’t get to be creative enough at school, according to a survey of 12-18 year-olds by community story-writing website, Movellas.
By contrast, the poll results showed that a massive 92% of teens say the internet and social media have helped them to be more creative by opening their eyes to new experiences and people.
In terms of where the education system is getting things wrong, nearly nine in 10 (89%) of respondents said teachers could learn from social media to help inspire creativity in the classroom.
Schools, it seems, are failing to keep pace with the changing social dynamic and way young people like to communicate. This is discouraging creativity.
Today’s teens also feel they are unfairly perceived as — and branded — the ‘Playstation Nation’, i.e. addicted to computer and video games and with no interest in reading or writing.
While four in five respondents (81%) said the internet is a key part of their life, two thirds (67%) said the video game-addicted portrayal of them in the media is unfair and unjustified.
Meanwhile, nearly all those polled (92%) said that creative writing has helped them to express their feelings, although 87% admitted it is not considered ‘cool’ to be into writing at school.
Per Larsen, Co-founder, Movellas, commented:
“Schools should sit up and take note, as this survey suggests they are failing to adapt quickly enough to the rise of social media and their prominence in young people’s lives — and that this could be affecting enthusiasm levels.
“What’s also clear is that the perception many adults have of today’s kids as obsessive gamers with little interest in anything else is way off the mark. For today’s kids, the internet and social media are a way to learn about the world, create, collaborate and communicate, not simply play online games.”
Movellas polled just over 500 12-18 year-olds between 16 and 20 July 2012.
