A new survey indicates a significant proportion of parents with school-aged children are experiencing considerable strain. According to the research, conducted by Forsa on behalf of the Körber Foundation and published Tuesday, 79 percent of parents report feeling burdened in their daily lives, with nearly a third (28 percent) describing this burden as strong.
The survey highlights parental concerns surrounding children’s media consumption as a primary source of worry, cited by half of those questioned (50 percent). Current geopolitical events also weigh heavily on parents, with 54 percent identifying the global political landscape as a major daily stressor. A lack of personal time and leisure activities is also a significant concern for a similar proportion of parents (51 percent). Concerns regarding the effects of climate change, however, appear to be decreasing, with only 23 percent of parents expressing worry, down from 34 percent in 2024.
The study reveals a correlation between parental stress levels and perceived stress in their children. Parents who report feeling highly stressed themselves are more likely to perceive their children as stressed – 71 percent of these parents believe their children feel stressed at school and in their daily lives, with 20 percent indicating a high level of pressure. Academic performance pressures are identified as the biggest stressor for children by 57 percent of parents. This is followed by the high self-expectations of teenagers (37 percent) and pressure from social media and influencers (25 percent).
Media use remains a prominent worry for parents, with 50 percent expressing specific anxieties in this area. This concern outweighs anxieties related to a child’s lack of motivation (29 percent) or poor grades (23 percent). Around 18 percent of parents are concerned about their child’s mental health, citing issues such as bullying or anxiety. Almost half (46 percent) of those surveyed indicated a desire for support in guiding their children towards responsible media habits.
A substantial majority of parents (72 percent) believe schools are not adequately equipping students with the skills needed to address societal and global challenges. However, parents generally see a shared responsibility between schools and families in fostering these future skills, with 63 percent believing both entities should collaborate on their development. Despite relatively low levels of concern specifically related to climate change (23 percent), a significant 67 percent of parents support initiatives that promote environmental awareness and sustainable practices.
The survey was conducted nationwide between April 8th and 17th, 2025, encompassing responses from 1,006 parents of children aged between twelve and eighteen.