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State of the Girl 2026
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  1. Discover
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  4. State of the Girl 2026

State of the Girl 2026

Girl Scouts has never defined a girl's experience, we give her the tools to define it for herself. For this report, we listened to today's girls, their families, and the research on the world they are navigating. The world is asking who speaks for girls. We believe in letting girls speak for themselves. This is one of the stories that stood out.

Statistic: One in five 5- to 7-year-old girls say they must be online or they will miss out.
Statistic: 50% of 10 to 12 year olds say most or all of their friends use social media.

From group chats to scrolling late into the night, girls are connected to their phones in a major way. However, this connectivity is far from real human connection. By ages 5–7, 64% of girls already feel lonely, and 25% of girls age 13–17 say social media hurts their mental health.

Statistic: Over half of girls reported persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness in the past year.
Statistic: More than one in four girls seriously considered attempting suicide in the past year.

Girls are on their screens because they’re what’s available—not because it’s their preferred way to spend time. 

This generation is hungry for real life interaction and engaging activities like art class (42%), music activities (33%), and sports (28%), but barriers like finances and proximity are keeping them away. Girls still want all of this. What is missing is the time, the spaces, and the programs that used to be within reach. 

This is one part of a much fuller story. The full report is built around three questions: what is being built for her, who is on her side, and is there joy in her journey? We have questions about all of this. And after 114 years standing alongside girls, we also have answers. We are asking you to join us in creating a world built for her, with her, always.

Read the full report and learn more about today’s girls.

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