Ashwini's Current Concerns Poised to Potentially Cost the Nation Billions

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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.

The neglect in addressing health and developmental issues among young Australians is a costly oversight, burdening the country with an annual expense of $22.3 billion. This staggering figure underscores the critical need for early intervention and support for the youth.

As students approach their final year exams, the pressure intensifies. These exams are not just academic milestones; they are gateways to higher education and, ultimately, to securing stable employment and financial security. The link between job security and broader issues like housing affordability is undeniable, making it a significant concern for young Australians.

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, the challenges are even more acute for young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, as well as those with disabilities, who often face heightened discrimination. This discrimination exacerbates existing barriers, complicating their path towards a secure future.

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.

In a recent survey, a little over half of the young respondents expressed mixed or uncertain feelings about their future, while 11 percent admitted to feeling worried. When asked to identify the biggest challenges their generation is likely to face, financial security and housing topped the list at 43 percent, followed closely by mental health and wellbeing at 39 percent. The rapid pace of digital change and concerns over online safety were also significant, with 32 percent highlighting these issues.

These insights paint a complex picture of the hurdles that lie ahead for young Australians, emphasizing the importance of addressing these concerns to ensure a brighter future for the next generation.

The survey found that almost one in three adolescents feel very excited and hopeful about the next five years.

Source: SBS News

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).

A chart showing the top concerns of Australian children

Source: SBS News

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.