Modern children have never had it so good, the Education Secretary has insisted after a report warned of a “childhood crisis” fuelled by social media.

Damian Hinds said that “in many ways this is the best time to be young” following a poll that showed two thirds of parents and grandparents felt childhoods felt childhoods were getting worse, and a third of children agreed.

Bullying, both online and offline was the main problem children face, followed by pressure to fit in, which has intensified in the age of social media, according to a survey of 5,000 youngsters and adults.

The poll, which was carried out by the charity Action for Children and YouGov, showed that adults significantly underestimated young people’s fears surrounding violent crime, terrorism and their mental health.

Mr Hinds acknowledged “the pressures and worries young people feel” adding that: “Growing up has never been easy, but technology and social media can exacerbate the need to fit in and the perception of others' perfect lives, as well as make it harder to leave being bullied behind at the school gates.”

Julie Bentley, chief executive of Action for Children, said: "The country is sleepwalking into a crisis in childhood and, far from being carefree, our children are buckling under the weight of unprecedented social pressures, global turmoil and a void in Government policy which should keep them well and safe.