Kids reeling as bullying, screen time take heavy toll

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A Monash University study also found the COVID-19 pandemic continues to affect young people in NSW and Victoria. The report was based on a national survey of 1500 young Australians aged 18 to 24 along with interviews between 2021 and 2023. It found more than one-in-five (20.7 per cent in NSW, 31.1 per cent in Victoria) received mental health support in 2023 with most young people surveyed struggling financially during the three years and many having ongoing concerns about their education, job prospects and relationships.

Study co-author Lucas Walsh noted the pandemic was not over. "Aside from continuing infections, many young people living in the two states that experienced the most serious lockdowns have been affected and scarred," Professor Walsh said. "The ripple effect, which is social, economic, psychological and political, is likely to shape, if not transform, a generation."