Vaping, illegal drug use, and drinking alcohol appear to be more common among children from better-off families compared to less advantaged households, according to a recent analysis. The data showed that a higher percentage of children aged 11 to 15 from affluent backgrounds in England reported their experience with each of these activities compared to those from the least affluent backgrounds. The Social Mobility Commission’s analysis of NHS Digital data indicated that almost a third (32%) of young people from high affluent groups had consumed alcohol in the previous month, while less than a fifth (19%) from low affluent groups had done so. Furthermore, 13% had vaped (compared to 10% in the least advantaged group) and 23% had taken drugs (compared to 17% in the low affluent group.
The report authors pointed out that access to alcohol might be easier for children from higher socioeconomic backgrounds due to costs, but they believe this does not entirely explain the broader findings. They have called for further research to delve into these worrying trends. The authors highlighted a surprising reverse gradient in drinking alcohol, vaping, and illegal drug use, with higher activity levels among school children from more affluent families. While smoking rates were slightly higher among the low affluent group at 5% compared to 4%, the overall trends were concerning.
The report also analysed young people’s wellbeing and mental health using data from the British Household Panel Survey and Understanding Society from 1994 to 2020. The findings suggested that children aged 11 to 15 were facing more challenges related to self-esteem and social anxiety. The commission highlighted that almost one in 10 (9%) young individuals disagreed with the statement “I am a likeable person” in 2020, an increase from around 4% in 2010.
Rob Wilson, deputy chair of the commission, expressed deep concern about children engaging in alcohol consumption, drug use, and vaping at such young ages. He pointed out that research indicates higher substance use among young people from affluent backgrounds compared to disadvantaged children, with the gap widening. The authors used the Family Affluence Scale (FAS) to categorise children into low, medium, or high groups based on various questions about their living conditions and possessions.
The report suggested that there is a need for a better understanding of the reasons behind these trends and called for more research to address these concerning issues. Additionally, the authors acknowledged that the data analysed was from 2021 when some pandemic restrictions were in place, potentially influencing the outcomes. They noted that the full picture for more recent years is yet to be known.