FK&Y’s research for Words Matter finds two in five children in the UK experience verbal abuse from adults

We have been working very closely with amazing children’s charity Words Matter since 2023. Our latest research in February 2026 was a nationally representative sample of 1000 11-17 year olds, as well as 500 secondary school teachers to explore the relationships between students and teachers, the types of things being said to young people, and how language makes young people feel. It found that two in five children in the UK experience verbal abuse from adults, with over half of these experiencing it weekly and one in ten daily. Following the research, Words Matter launched a free resource for teachers designed to support classroom communication and help strengthen children’s sense of belonging so that they feel valued, safe, and ready to learn. The resource was developed in collaboration with FK&Y colleague Dr Fiona Pienaar, a child and adolescent mental health specialist and former teacher, and Delyth Lynch, Director of Safeguarding at Wellington College. An essay written by young people on the “harm that leaves no bruises” has also been published in The Lancet Child & Adolescent Health which describes how harsh language from adults shapes children’s sense of self, safety, and belonging. This first of its kind essay calls on the UK government to formally recognise childhood verbal abuse within public health and safeguarding strategies. Access the essay here.