Youth Statistics

Many young Australians are in crisis

High rates of suicide, drug use, binge drinking, casual sex, and other high risk behaviours are an indication of broken family and community relationships.

Drug Use aged 10-15

39% of Australian boys and 34% of girls had used alcohol, tobacco or cannabis, compared with 25% of the American boys and girls
Australians are also heavier smokers, with 7% of boys and 8% of girls reporting they smoked daily, compared with 3% and 4% respectively of the American students

Reference: Murdoch Children's Research Institute Peadiatrics, 2004. Children aged 10-15

Binge Drinking

Alcohol use and binge drinking since 1992:

Year 10 student rate has increased from 79% in 1997 to 85% in 2002
Year 12 students rate has increased from 88% in 1997 to 94% in 2002

Reference: The National Survey of Secondary Students and Sexual Health 2002

Sexual Activity

Reported sexual activity in high school:

Deep kissing (80%)
Genital touching (or being touched) (67%)
Giving or receiving oral sex (45.5%)
Vaginal intercourse - 25% of year 10 students and 50% in Year 12

Reference: The National Survey of Secondary Students and Sexual Health 2002

Sex, Alcohol and Sexually Transmitted Diseases

25.9% of all sexually active students report that they have had unwanted sex at some time.
The most common reasons cited for having unwanted sex were being too drunk (15.9%) and pressure from a sexual partner (12.6%).
In relation to the most recent sexual encounter, 22.7% indicated that they were drunk or high at the time.
Fewer than 10% of students believed that they were likely to become infected with Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, Sexually Transmitted Infections or HIV.

Reference: The National Survey of Secondary Students and Sexual Health 2002

Television and Computers

Among 11 to 14-year olds, three-quarters have a television in their bedroom.
Two-thirds have their own DVD player or video recorder.
One-quarter have a computer in their bedroom.
Two-thirds play computer games in their rooms.
Boys spent up to 18–22 hours a week in front of a screen, which was 3–5 hours more than girls.

Reference: 2004 Schools Physical Activity and Nutrition Survey in New South Wales

Electronic Relationships

In 2005 Yahoo! and media communications specialist OMD commissioned a study of the use of media and technology by young people (aged 18-22) around the world. The resulting report ranked the top 10 countries according to their use of electronic media. Within the top 10 countries, Australia was ranked:

1st - Text messaging (97%)
2nd - Own or regularly use video game consoles (61%)
2nd - Use email (85%)
3rd - Own or regularly use Personal Computers (88%)
3rd - Own or regularly use mobile phones (92%)
3rd - Use instant messaging (85%)
3rd - Use games on mobile phones (74%)

Reference: Truly, madly, deeply engaged: Global youth, media and technology, Yahooo!OMD 2005

Obesity and Exercise

Based on self-reported height and weight, 8% of males and 11% of females aged 15–17 were classified as overweight or obese in 2001.
Of those aged 18–24, 16% of males and 25% of females were classified as overweight or obese.
The proportion of obese girls aged 7-15 has increased by 358%, from 1980 to 1995. Boys have increased by 235%.

Reference: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare 2004

In 2004-05, 62% of Australians aged 15-24 years were classified as sedentary or having low exercise levels.
The 2003 Australian Burden of Disease Study indicates that physical inactivity was the forth leading cause of burden of disease in Australia.

Reference: Australian Bureau of Statistics national Health Survey, 2004-05

Mental Health

In 2004-05, 10% of children aged 10-14 years were reported to have some form of mental or behavioural problem as a long-term health condition.
The prevalence of mental or behavioural problems increased with age until the 35-44 year age group at 14%.

Reference: Australian Bureau of Statistics National Health Survey: Summary of Results, Australia 2004-05

Suicide and Depression

Every year more than 2000 Australians die from suicide. For every person that dies, there's at least another 30 attempts by other persons.

Reference: Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2001

More Australians than ever before in history are taking antidepressants. In 2003, 12 million scripts were written, 250,000 of those to people under the ages of 20.

Reference: Gail Bell 'The Worried Well: The Depression Epidemic and the Medicalisation of our Sorrows,' 2004

Suicide rates in young people peaked in 1997, but still accounted for 25% of deaths in males aged 20-24 in 2005.

Reference Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2006