COVID Screenagers: socially distant, digitally close is a study that examined the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on youth’s lives. This study amplified the voices of 7271 young people between the ages of 18 and 29 in six countries in the Western Balkans region.
The study gives an account of COVID-19 adverse impacts on young people's lives – their education, employment, and livelihoods, mental well-being, family and partnership relations, broader social relations. The research also provides a clear statement from the youth across the Western Balkans about their concerns and aspirations for the post-COVID future.
The British Council initiated this study based on a belief that it is essential to listen to and engage with young people, particularly in difficult times. The current pandemic is unprecedented in recent history, and young people have been greatly affected by it. Therefore, this study is the British Council’s effort to listen, report young people’s thoughts, challenges, concerns, and suggest a call for action.