MORE children in the North-East are worried about terrorism than anywhere else in the country, a study has shown.

More than half, or 59 per cent, of children in the region are concerned about the threat from terrorists, a wide-ranging survey by Action for Children showed.

And vast numbers of youngsters are worrying about ‘adult issues’ such as Brexit, with three generations – children, parents and grandparents – saying it was the worst time to be a child.

In its 150th year of helping children, Action for Children warns of an emerging childhood crisis, with young people facing unparalleled social pressures at the same time as a drastic reduction in children’s services.

The charity is calling on the Government to establish a National Childhood Strategy that puts children first and keeps them safe from harm.

As young people face unparalleled social pressures and a collapse in investment from the government in children’s services, Action for Children with YouGov explored the biggest issues affecting childhood today through comprehensive research across three UK generations.

The research, involving discussion groups and a survey of children and adults, showed a large proportion of grandparents (76 per cent), parents (52 per cent) and children (30 per cent) in the North-East say childhoods today are getting worse.

All three generations in the region agreed bullying is the biggest problem preventing a good childhood, as children deal with it online, as well as inside and outside school. However, while 60 per cent of children highlighted the second biggest barrier as too much pressure from school, parents (51 per cent) and grandparents (62 per cent) were more concerned about too much time spent on electronic devices and social media.

And with politics in turmoil, the vast majority of children in the North-East – some as young as 11 – say they are worrying about ‘adult issues’, with 29 per cent concerned about Brexit, with 52 per cent worried about poverty and homelesness.

John Egan, national director at Action for Children said: “We are sleepwalking into a crisis in childhood and, far from being carefree, our children are buckling under the weight of unprecedented social pressures, global turmoil and a void in government policy.”