Five things Aussie kids and teens told us about their wellbeing

Every child deserves the chance to thrive, yet many young Australians are facing widespread and emerging challenges from economic pressures to mental health concerns, discrimination, difficulties at school, and growing online safety threats.  

The State of Australia’s Children report offers the most comprehensive snapshot to date of the nation’s children and young people. The flagship report – developed by UNICEF Australia in partnership with the Australian Research Alliance for Children and Youth (ARACY) and supported by Minderoo Foundation –tracks children and young people’s wellbeing from birth to 24 years, combining data from publicly available and commissioned sources with the firsthand perspectives of children and young people. It shows that not all Australian families have access to the support they need to give children a good start in life and help them reach their full potential. 

Here are five things Australian kids told us about how they’re faring in many areas of their lives. 

1. Family and friends are their main source of happiness and support, but they are reaching out less. 

Positive relationships – including loving, trusting, supportive connections with family, peers, and adults like teachers and mentors – are vital for children and young people’s wellbeing. They provide emotional support, build resilience, and help them feel loved, safe, valued and connected. 

Across all ages, parents and caregivers are the primary source of emotional support, with siblings and grandparents also important. Children aged 3–8 often mention immediate and extended family, while older children more often cite friends, reflecting their growing role as a source of support as children approach adolescence.  

In the State of Australia’s Children and Young People National Survey, teenagers told us that when they have a problem, they turn to parents (79%) and friends (53%) first. Siblings, teachers, other relatives, and mental health professionals also provide support. When it comes to who they share their successes with, parents and carers lead the way (84%), with friends close behind (70%). However, boys are less likely than girls to turn to friends or teachers for help. 

Since 2020, research shows there’s been a 10% drop in young people turning to friends and 5% in those turning to parents, accelerating to 17 and 11 percentage points respectively for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people.  

 2. They’re increasingly concerned about the future 

Children and young people are likely to be disproportionately impacted by the choices made today, facing challenges such as an ageing population and worsening climate impacts. According to a recent survey, many are worried about the cost-of-living crisis, including its impact on their finances and future prospects.  

The State of Australia’s Children and Young People National Survey found almost one in three (30%) teenagers feel very excited and hopeful about the next five years, but 55% have mixed or unsure feelings, and 11% feel worried. Those that are hopeful are confident that their lives and the world will improve, while some look forward to gaining independence.  

When survey participants were asked what they think the biggest challenges their generation will face as they grow up, they said: 

While climate change was ranked lower, it was the number one area young people hope will change in the future. When survey participants were asked what they would change if they were put in charge of Australia, their top priority was making housing cheaper and easier for young people to afford (41%). 

For younger children aged five to 11, we learnt in the participatory workshops that their top hopes for the future are a healthy planet, more support for children and families, and global peace.    

3. Many children and young people aren’t happy at school 

School is a place where children and young people can learn, connect and play, but for many students in Australia, it is a source of unhappiness. Over one in four (27%) youth survey respondents identified school and learning as one of the areas that makes them feel least satisfied, and more than a third reported wishing adults understood how tiring and stressful school can be. School engagement is also sharply declining, with the data showing student attendance dropping from 92.4% in 2017 to 88.3% in 2024 for Years 1 to 10.  

Younger school-aged children reflected on how having a ‘good’ or ‘bad’ teacher could influence their school experience.   

The State of Australia’s Children Youth Advisory Group cited reasons for falling attendance rates: schools don’t accommodate diverse learning needs, focus too much on grades, fail to understand some students’ complex home lives, and lack connection between students and teachers. Some suggestions they had for schools were reducing the emphasis on grades, making curricula more relevant to young people today, and creating inclusive environments supporting diverse learning styles. 

 4. Many have recently experienced bullying and discrimination 

Bullying can negatively impact children’s confidence and self-esteem, with research linking it to a higher rate of poor mental health outcomes and lower academic achievement. More children and young people are reporting instances of both in-person and online bullying, with recent data showing Australia has amongst the highest levels of bullying compared to other high-income countries. 

More than half (53%) of survey respondents told us they have experienced bullying in the previous 12 months. This number increased to 70% for those with a disability. The most common forms of bullying reported were verbal bullying and social exclusion. The State of Australia’s Children Youth Advisory Group shared that while physical bullying is becoming less common, bullying is becoming more covert, involving the deliberate isolation of peers or undermining them socially, which can be harder to detect but just as harmful. 

Younger children who took part in the State of Australia’s Children workshops also spoke about the hurt and frustration of bullying. 

The survey also found that a quarter of respondents felt they had been discriminated against unfairly in the previous 12 months because of who they are. This figure was much higher at 44% for young people with disability, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and LGBTQUIA+ youth also reported experiencing high levels of discrimination or hate. Young people said the most common reasons for this were physical appearance (33%), race (23%), age (22%), and gender (19%).   

5. Most have had a negative experience online 

Technology is reshaping childhood in Australia. Today’s youth have never known life without the internet, social media, and smartphones. These tools help them learn, play, and connect – but they also pose risks. 

When we asked young people about technology and what worries them the most, they said:  

We also know from the research that more than half (53%) of 10-17-year-olds have experienced cyberbullying, and 74% have encountered harmful content. Trans and gender-diverse children face disproportionately higher rates of cyberbullying, and girls are more likely than boys to experience cyberbullying.  

To live a good life in a tech-driven world, more than a third (35%) of young people told us they need mental health support, 34% want better education about how technology works, and 33% want more opportunities to learn digital skills for future jobs. When asked what they would prioritise if they were put in charge of Australia, 27% said they would make technology and social media safer for kids. 

A recent ARACY roundtable found that social media is key to teenagers’ sense of connection, identity, and mental wellbeing. While they acknowledge the harms associated with social media, they said it's a place where they feel safe reaching out to peers for support.  

Right now, the wellbeing of Australia’s children is at a crossroads. While strong foundations mean most children and young people are faring well, too many – particularly those experiencing systemic disadvantage – are being left behind. The State of Australia’s Children report shows us that there are urgent and emerging challenges for children and young people across the country. They are more than just statistics; they represent real children whose safety, health, and wellbeing depends on the actions we take now. Let's turn evidence into action to create a brighter future for Aussie kids.