Less than a third of teens said they feel very excited and hopeful about the next five years, with many feeling anxious about the future, according to a report released on Monday.
The State of Australia’s Children Report, by UNICEF Australia and the Australian Research Alliance for Children and Youth, gathered more than 100 data sets and input from at least 2,000 children.
The report also reveals a clear decline in life satisfaction as children get older, with 16 to 17-year-olds reporting lower well-being compared to their 12 to 13-year-old peers.
Recent studies indicate that overlooking health and developmental challenges in young Australians results in a staggering annual cost of $22.3 billion to the country.
“Final year exams are not just about getting into university; they’re about asking, ‘Am I pursuing a degree that will lead to a stable job and financial security?’ Such security is deeply connected to housing and overall affordability,” experts note.
Ashwini Aravinthan, 17, is mindful of more than just her high school results, she’s also concerned about the rising cost-of-living in Australia and needing a good salary to be able to afford a home.
“I think it’s because of that exposure to all that [social media] information that the worry is certainly increasing,” Ashwini, who is a UNICEF Australia young ambassador, told SBS News.
“Unfortunately, these experiences of discrimination are even more pronounced for young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, as well as for children and young people with disabilities,” they added.
The Sydney Year 12 student said that while she and her classmates are stressed about exams, seeing news and social media posts about the housing crisis adds extra pressure to do well.
Nicole Breeze, chief advocate for children at UNICEF Australia, told SBS News life is getting harder for young people.
“Children are already encountering challenges,” she said.
“We’ve got growing numbers of children who have caring responsibilities within their families, and kids who are leaving out-of-home care are at risk of homelessness within a year.”
“Escalating” mental health concerns and bullying are also challenges.
A “concerning trend” is also growing rates of discrimination faced by children, she added.
“They talk about experiencing this with respect to their physical appearance, their gender, or other aspects of their identity.
While a little over half of respondents had mixed or uncertain feelings, 11% expressed feelings of worry.
When questioned about the major challenges their generation will confront in the future, top concerns included financial security and housing at 43%, mental health and wellbeing at 39%, and online safety and the rapid pace of digital change at 32%.
The survey found that almost one in three adolescents feel very excited and hopeful about the next five years.
A little over half had mixed or unsure feelings, and 11 per cent feel worried.
When asked what they think the biggest challenges their generation will face as they grow up, the top concerns were financial security and housing (43 per cent), mental health and wellbeing (39 per cent) and online safety and the pace of digital change (32 per cent).
When asked what they would change if they were put in charge of Australia, 41 per cent of children said they would make housing cheaper and easier for young people to afford.
Ensuring everyone is treated fairly, with respect and equity, no matter their background, skin colour, or identity, was a priority for 37 per cent of respondents.
Providing more financial support to struggling families and remote communities, and creating safer, violence-free neighbourhoods and communities were key focuses for 34 per cent and 31 per cent respectively.
Cost of late intervention
Research from the Minderoo Foundation estimates that failing to support young people in adolescence costs the economy billions of dollars each year.
Since 2019, the cost of late intervention has risen from $15.2 billion to $22.3 billion, which exceeds inflation and population growth.
This is equivalent to $838 for every person in Australia every year or $2,704 for every child and young person birth to 24 years of age.
Spending on child protection is the largest late intervention expense to the government, consuming 43 per cent of late intervention spending at $10.2 billion each year.
This is followed by spending on youth crime and youth unemployment.
“The science is unequivocal: the first five years shape a lifetime,” Minderoo Foundation co-founder Nicola Forrest said.
“These years are a fleeting window, yet too many children start school without the foundations they need.”
Ashwini would like to see young people consulted more often when it comes to policy decisions.
“We have our own special needs and wants, but inevitably, like much of the population, we want an affordable life, one that we can enjoy and look forward to in the future.”
Additional reporting by the Australian Associated Press.
