In the final years of the 9th century, education additionally consisted of literacy in English over the formerly taught Latin.
[4] In the Middle Ages, English children commonly wore clothing similar to an adult's but smaller in size.
Affluent medieval English families that could afford infant beds and walking frames also commonly purchased metal toys and dolls for their children.
[10] Many children fell asleep at their workstations and consequentially faced fatal injuries or severe harm, including crushing and other physical trauma.
[10] In 2020, it was reported that one in six English children and teenagers aged 5-16 were experiencing a mental illness; this was an increase from the previous year.
[17] In August 2024, the rate of unemployment for ages 16-24 was reported to be at 14.8%; it was also reported that ~872,000 youth aged 16-24 were not enrolled in any form of education or working any full-time job, and out of that group, a large portion was noted as economically inactive, and another notable amount of completely unemployed people was recorded.
[18] The high levels of youth unemployment in the United Kingdom have led some politicians and media commentators to talk of a "lost generation".