After the End of COVID-19, Child and Adolescent Happiness Index Increased... Playtime Remains Insufficient

'2023 Seoul-si Child Comprehensive Survey' Results Announced
Happiness Index Rises... Depression, Anger, Loneliness, Anxiety Decrease
Playtime Recovery... Still Insufficient Compared to Pre-Corona Period

A survey has found that the happiness level of children living in Seoul has increased after the end of COVID-19. Although playtime with friends after school has increased, it has not yet recovered to pre-pandemic levels.

On the 25th, the Seoul Metropolitan Government announced the results of the '2023 Seoul Child Comprehensive Survey,' which analyzed the parenting and living environment of children in Seoul as well as policy demands. This survey is conducted every two years as a basis for child policy formulation and is a nationally approved statistic.

The survey was conducted on 2,520 households raising children under the age of 18 living in Seoul. It was carried out through household visit interviews from November to December last year. For children who had difficulty expressing themselves, parents’ responses were referenced.

The most notable point was the increase in children’s happiness index. Comparing quantified emotions felt by respondents in 2021, during the COVID-19 pandemic, and in 2023, happiness rose from 1.88 points to 2.3 points on a 3-point scale. Meanwhile, depression (2.14 → 1.70), anger (2.08 → 1.75), loneliness (2.13 → 1.66), and anxiety (2.22 → 1.68) decreased.

After-school playtime with friends on weekdays also increased to 190.2 minutes, up from 142.9 minutes in 2021. However, it has not recovered to pre-COVID-19 levels of 360.1 minutes in 2017 and 382.3 minutes in 2019.

The ways children engage in play and leisure activities have also changed. Although 44.5% expressed a preference for physical activities such as running around playgrounds and parks, exercising, or walking, the actual time spent watching TV, using smartphones, and playing games (5.86 hours on weekdays) was longer than the time spent running and playing (2.73 hours on weekdays). Additionally, the quantified respect for children’s rights was measured as 3.39 points at home, 3.21 points at school, 3.06 points in the neighborhood, 2.96 points nationally, and 2.81 points online.

Based on the survey results, the Seoul Metropolitan Government plans to support children’s healthy growth through initiatives such as the 'Seoul Children’s Happiness Project.' Regarding children’s mental health, the opening of the Seoul Children’s Bright Center (tentative name) is planned for next year. Kim Seon-sun, Director of the Seoul Women and Family Office, stated, “We will use the survey results as important data to improve and develop Seoul’s child policies.”