'Tough times' for teenagers

This generation of teenagers faces a more difficult environment in which to grow up because of the worst youth unemployment in two decades, and widespread cuts to youth services, according to a new report.

A poll by YouGov in the report, by Demos, shows teenage girls are less happy than a year ago, with money and finding a job their main worries.

The report reveals new pressures and risks associated with tenagers' obsession with online social networking via internet-enabled mobile phones.

Julia Margo, Demos deputy director, said: "This generation of teenage girls faces the toughest labour market for two decades and widespread cuts to services.

"Talk of 'broken Britain' has led to little government action and teenage girls face a 'youth policy vacuum' from a cuts agenda and an economic outlook that offer them far fewer opportunities than their parents and elder siblings had."