Most children aged 12 to 16 report negative experiences sharing opinions
Monday 21st September 2026 on 20:30 in
Denmark
Nearly seven in 10 children and young people aged 12 to 16 have had at least one negative experience when expressing their opinions, according to a survey by Epinion for Unicef, reported by DR.
Negative experiences included being mocked for an opinion, regretting having spoken up, someone becoming angry, hearing something unpleasant or feeling excluded.
Fear of saying the wrong thing was particularly common among girls. It was reported by 54 per cent of girls surveyed, compared with 37 per cent of boys.
“This highlights the importance of children and young people feeling safe to disagree, ask questions and make mistakes,” Unicef wrote in its analysis.
The survey questioned 1,040 children and young people. Fifteen per cent said they did not dare express their opinion when others disagreed with them, while seven in 10 said they would still speak up.
Some hold back among friends
Students at Lindevang School in Frederiksberg told DR that sharing opinions could be both easy and difficult, depending on the situation.
Anna Benedicte Grant Løvland said she had previously had a negative experience after being the only person in a group to hold a particular view. She also said she sometimes feared speaking openly among close friends because they might disagree and question their friendship.
Classmate Laura Nøddesbo said she was afraid of being judged, which caused her to hold back some of her opinions.
Several boys at the school said it was easier to express themselves with friends or when answering a quick question. They found it more difficult when a question was personal, when they did not know the people they were speaking to or when they disagreed with others.
DR opens submissions for children’s New Year speech
DR has opened submissions for its Children’s New Year Speech event, where people under 18 across Denmark can talk about what matters to them.
Submissions can be made until Monday, October 19. They may consist of a 30 to 60-second video explaining what concerns or inspires the speaker, what they would like to change or what adults should understand better.
Three speakers will be selected to deliver their speeches on DR1 on New Year’s Eve.