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Teens, screens and mental health - Heather Basford

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Teens, screens and mental health - Heather Basford

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World Health Organisation (2024, September). Teens, screens and mental health. https://www.who.int/europe/news/item/25-09-2024-teens--screens-and-mental-health

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Copenhagen, 25 September 2024New data from the WHO Regional Office for Europe reveals a sharp rise in problematic social media use among adolescents, with rates increasing from 7% in 2018 to 11% in 2022. This, coupled with findings that 12% of adolescents are at risk of problematic gaming, raises urgent concerns about the impact of digital technology on the mental health and well-being of young people. These findings come from the Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) study, which surveyed almost 280 000 young people aged 11, 13 and 15 across 44 countries and regions in Europe, central Asia and Canada in 2022. Key findings include: More than 1 in 10 adolescents (11%) showed signs of problematic social media behaviour, struggling to control their use and experiencing negative consequences. Girls reported higher levels of problematic social media use than boys (13% vs 9%). Over a third (36%) of young people reported constant contact with friends online, with the highest rates among 15-year-old girls (44%). A third (34%) of adolescents played digital games daily, with more than 1 in 5 (22%) playing for at least 4 hours on days when they engage in gaming. 12% of adolescents are at risk of problematic gaming, with boys more likely than girls to show signs of problematic gaming (16% vs 7%). The report defines problematic social media use as a pattern of behaviour characterized by addiction-like symptoms. These include an inability to control social media usage, experiencing withdrawal when not using it, neglecting other activities in favour of social media, and facing negative consequences in daily life due to excessive use.Implications of increased problematic social media useThe rise in problematic social media use among adolescents raises significant concerns about potential impacts on young people. Previous research has found that problematic social media users also reported lower mental and social well-being and higher levels of substance use compared to non-problematic users and non-users. This trend, if continued, could have far-reaching consequences for adolescent development and long-term health outcomes. Moreover, problematic social media use has been associated with less sleep and later bedtimes, potentially impacting adolescents’ overall health and academic performance. “It’s clear that social media can have both positive and negative consequences on the health and well-being of adolescents,” noted Dr Hans Henri P. Kluge, WHO Regional Director for Europe. “That’s why digital literacy education is so important. Yet it remains inadequate in many countries, and where it is available, it often fails to keep pace with young people and rapidly evolving technology. We are seeing the consequences of this gap, with worse likely to come, unless governments, health authorities, teachers and parents recognize the root causes of the current situation and take steps to rectify it. As millions of children across the Region return to school after the summer holidays, some countries are considering restrictions or outright bans on social media for children up to a certain age. It’s clear we need immediate and sustained action to help adolescents turn the tide on potentially damaging social media use, which has been shown to lead to depression, bullying, anxiety and poor academic performance.”Positive aspects of social media use While the report highlights the risks, it also underscores the benefits of responsible social media use. Adolescents who are heavy but non-problematic users reported stronger peer support and social connections. As one 17-year-old boy from Poland shared, “There are many benefits of social media, especially when it is used in moderation. Among the benefits, there is connection and connectedness. Teenagers may meet others who share their passions and interests”. “This study reveals both the promise and the pitfalls of digital engagement for our young people,” said Dr Natasha Azzopardi-Muscat, Director for Country Health Policies and Systems, WHO Regional Office for Europe. “It’s crucial that we take steps to protect youth to allow them to navigate the digital landscape safely and equip them to make informed choices about their online activities, maximizing the benefits while minimizing the risks to their mental and social well-being. In short, they should rule social media, and not have social media ruling them.” Gaming trends and their implications The report also reveals that 34% of adolescents play digital games daily, with 22% playing for at least 4 hours on gaming days. While 68% were classified as non-problematic gamers, 12% were at risk of problematic gaming.A previous HBSC study examining problematic online gaming behaviour in five countries found associations with lower life satisfaction, more frequent psychological complaints and lower peer support. However, for many adolescents, gaming remains a harmless or even beneficial pastime. Dr Claudia Marino, one of the report authors at the University of Padova, noted: “The gender differences in gaming patterns are striking. Boys not only show higher rates of daily gaming but are also more likely to develop problematic gaming habits. This highlights the need for targeted interventions that consider gender-specific motivations and risk factors in gaming behaviour”. Targeted interventions Interventions to address problematic social media use should be age-appropriate, gender-sensitive and culturally tailored. They should focus on helping young people develop digital literacy skills, promote healthy online behaviours and provide support for those at risk of problematic use. As one boy from England suggested, “I think it is more important to make social media better and safer, and teach people how to use it safely and to look after themselves”. This highlights the need for improved digital environments and education that empower young people to navigate online spaces safely. Roadmap for action While the findings are sobering, they also offer a roadmap for the way ahead. The WHO Regional Office for Europe – covering Europe and central Asia – calls upon policy-makers, educators and health-care providers to prioritize adolescent digital well-being with the following specific calls to action: Invest in a health promoting school environment, in which digital literacy education is embedded. Implement evidence-based programmes in schools covering responsible social media use, online safety, critical thinking skills and healthy gaming habits. Enhance mental health services. Ensure access to confidential, non-judgmental and affordable mental health services which can address issues arising from problematic digital technology use. Promote open dialogue. Encourage conversations about digital well-being within families, schools and communities to reduce stigma and increase awareness. Train educators and health-care providers. Provide specialized training to deliver effective and inclusive digital literacy education and support. Enforce platform accountability. Ensure social media platforms enforce age restrictions and create a regulatory framework encouraging responsible design of digital tools for young users. “Ultimately, what we are seeking to achieve for our children is a solid foundation for life in the digital age, something social media companies and young people alike are beginning to acknowledge and act upon around the world,” concluded Dr Kluge. “Digital literacy in the context of child development and well-being, informed by the right knowledge at the right time along with the right health and other support services, are critical. By empowering adolescents to make informed decisions about their online activities, balancing their online and offline worlds, we ultimately help safeguard and improve their overall well-being. This is crucial for ensuring a healthier, more balanced digital future for all communities, societies and countries.”

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Conflicting data regarding mental health in elderly men - Kirsten Burley

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Conflicting data regarding mental health in elderly men - Kirsten Burley

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In reviewing data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) National Study of Mental Health and Wellbeing (NSMHW) 2020-2022. When specifically looking at data from Any 12-month Anxiety disorder, by sex and age, 2020-2022, and only Australian males.  The ABS indicates that Males of 75-85 years of age had a lower proportion of anxiety disorder at 4% than Males of 65-74 at 6.3% and Males of 55-64 at 11.3%.  If we compare the same data from the 2020-2021 study, the results are very similar.  Males of 75-85 years of age had a lower proportion of anxiety disorder at 4.5% than Males of 65-74 at 6.4% and Males of 55-64 at 10.2%. An interesting comparison is the study by Almeida et al. (2023), where comment is made on depressive and anxiety disorders increasing with age. This longitudinal study looked at 38,173 Western Australian men, aged 65-85 years, between 1996 and 2018. There was a limitation to the comparison due to a slight variation in the definition of disorders, the study only covered males, and a smaller sample size. Examining the data for anxiety, we observe a peak of 6.9% in individuals >/= 85 years, followed by a decrease to 2.2% in those aged 80-84 years, a further reduction of 1.3% in individuals aged 75-79 years, and finally aged 70-74 years a further decrease to 0.6%. This demonstrates a lesser proportion of anxiety as the age bracket decreases.

Almeida, O. P., Hankey, G. J., Yeap, B. B., Golledge, J., Etherton‐Beer, C., Robinson, S., & Flicker, L. (2023). Prevalence of mental disorders among older Australians: Contrasting evidence from the 2020–2021 National Study of Mental Health and Wellbeing among men and women and the Health In Men Data Linkage Study. Australasian Psychiatry, 31(6). https://doi.org/10.1177/10398562231191692

Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2023). National study of mental health and wellbeing. Australian Bureau of Statistics. https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/health/mental-health/national-study-mental-health-and-wellbeing/2020-2022

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Aaron Ivan - Long-term health conditions (ABS)  

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Aaron Ivan - Long-term health conditions (ABS)  

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The 2021 Australian Census included, for the first time, a question asking if a doctor or nurse had diagnosed respondents with a long-term health condition lasting six months or more. These conditions included arthritis, heart disease, mental health issues, and others (Australian Bureau of Statistics [ABC], 2022). Nearly one-third (31.7%) of Australians reported having at least one chronic condition, and females reported higher rates than males, partly due to age differences.

Mental health conditions, arthritis, and asthma were most common, with mental health issues more evenly spread across ages. Geographic and cultural factors also influenced prevalence, with overseas-born populations generally showing fewer conditions, reflecting the "healthy migrant effect".

About 8% of people did not respond to the health question, likely due to sensitivity and self-reporting challenges. Despite this, the Census offers important insights for healthcare planning and policy.

Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2022). Long-term health conditions, Australia, 2021 Census. https://www.abs.gov.au/articles/long-term-health-conditions

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Information on long-term health conditions

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By analysing the market sentiments and identify the issues, inflation is expected to decline further there are some levels of uncertainty which includes digitalisation and AI , surely enhance productivity and potential growth but on side-lines it will also impact the human interactions and unemployment will go up, Normally countries involving in these programs either have low reserves and countries without agreements hold strong reserves.

According to world economic outlook (2025 Jul) as tensions between the countries related to tariffs all stock markets in Europe and Asia slipped. as some countries will be high as 50 percent and there's uncertainty in stock exchange and inflation excluding volatile food and energy, starting to see problems in economy already. These risks could be led to weaker growth geopolitical tensions may also effect global supply chain market commodity prices will go up.

In my opinion, tariffs is just to raise revenue there are better ways to less damage to consumers, less damage to workers and less damage to our international standing, According to U.S department of commerce key inflation report

Core consumer prices (excluding food and energy) rise 0.4% in June that's up 2.8 percent from a earlier year were weaking the global economy, and that put downward pressure on the price of oil and rising prices on lots of other stuff, specially the types of goods that are subjected to tariffs its all because (MAGA) Make America Great Again

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Anxiety Disorders in Australia - Wayan Arnup (Psychology)

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Anxiety Disorders in Australia - Wayan Arnup (Psychology)

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According to data gathered in the 2020-2022 National Study of Mental Health and Wellbeing (Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2024), 17% of Australians aged between 16-85 had experienced anxiety disorder symptoms within the last 12 months.  Young females aged between 16-24 were disproportionately impacted at 40.4% and with the most common type of anxiety disorder impacting this demographic being social phobia.  This study was conducted during the Covid 19 pandemic during which time both social interactions and physical activity were restricted for many Australians and analysis of the data over a longer period would be helpful to determine whether these factors contributed significantly to these statistics.

Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2023, October 5). National Study of Mental Health and Wellbeing. Australian Bureau of Statistics. https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/health/mental-health/national-study-mental-health-and-wellbeing/latest-release#data-downloads

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The National Health Measures Survey (NHMS) 2022–24 was conducted from January 2022 to April 2024 and involved the collection of biomedical samples from participants aged 5 years and over across Australia, excluding very remote areas and discrete Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

It measured specific biomarkers for chronic disease and nutrition status, from tests on blood and urine samples from volunteering participants selected in either the National Health Survey 2022 or the National Nutrition and Physical Activity Survey 2023.

Biomarkers collected include:

chronic disease biomarkers, including tests for diabetes, cardiovascular disease, kidney disease and liver function

nutrient biomarkers, including tests for iron, folate, vitamin B12, iodine, vitamin D, sodium and potassium levels.

In addition to chronic disease and nutrient biomarkers, the NHMS 2022–24 included tests for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, which are chemical contaminants found in the environment.

Participants’ self-reported information on health conditions and health risk factors, such as diet, physical activity and smoking, was taken from their responses in the other IHMHS surveys. For more information, see Overlap between surveys in the IHMHS.

This was the second time the ABS collected voluntary biomedical data in the NHMS. It was previously collected in 2011–13.

For main findings, see National Health Measures Survey, 2022–24.

For more information on the scope, geography, collection method, reporting guidelines used and history of changes, see National Health Measures Survey methodology, 2022–24.

Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2020-24). National Health Measures Survey 2022–24. ABS. https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/detailed-methodology-information/concepts-sources-methods/intergenerational-health-and-mental-health-study-concepts-sources-and-methods/2020-24/about-intergenerational-health-and-mental-health-study/national-health-measures-survey-2022-24.

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Ben Jays (Psychology) - Physical and Mental Impacts of Covid

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Ben Jays (Psychology) - Physical and Mental Impacts of Covid

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The Covid-19 pandemic saw a significant impact to the way we conducted life. There were consequences to our physical and mental wellbeing and we all coped differently.

A survey conducted in May 2021 stated that 39% of participants used good sleep hygiene to manage impacts to their physical health. The same survey resulted in 72% of those surveyed used techniques excluding formal services to manage their mental health during this time. This included meditation, mindfulness and yoga.

The survey outlined that sleep and holistic wellbeing played a significant role in managing the stressors of the Covid-19 pandemic

Australian Bureau of Statistics (2021). Household Impacts of Covid-19 Survey. Insights into the prevalence and nature of impacts from COVID-19 on households in Australia. Australian Bureau of Statistics. https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/people/people-and-communities/household-impacts-covid-19-survey/may-2021

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Household Impacts of COVID-19 Survey, May 2021

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Insights into the prevalence and nature of impacts from COVID-19 on households in Australia.

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Tayla Hunt - Increase in number of children homeschooled in Australia post-pandemic

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Tayla Hunt - Increase in number of children homeschooled in Australia post-pandemic

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According to a 2024 report from the QLD Department of Education, from 2020 to 2024 within the state, numbers of children educated from home rose from 4,297 to 11,314 (Queensland Department of Education, 2024).

These figures were explored in a recent ABC News article. Attitudes towards the education system have changed post-pandemic, with 45,000 children being homeschooled across Australia in 2024, in Queensland there was a 122.2% increase of home schoolers of primary school level, and a 221.7% increase for secondary students (Marie, J., 2025). Various factors have been identified throughout as contributing to this decision. Many parents have identified that they prefer to be an active presence in their children’s lives, experiencing firsthand the changes and developing ideas evolving through them. The relationship to the institution of education has changed and many parents are preferring to be more involved in their children’s daily lives (Marie, J., 2025).

There are complications around cost benefit and potential pitfalls. Many parents will report that home schooling is easier on finances, though many households of home schoolers will require one parents to leave work or reduce hours to facilitate the time needed for teaching and monitoring their children (Marie, J., 2025).

Ultimately home-schooling parents believe it will be necessary for community liaisons to have more involvement with families to help them navigate and understand the complexities of homeschooling and cope with its challenges (Marie, J., 2025).

Resources:

Queensland Government Department of Education. (2024). Home education registrations. https://qed.qld.gov.au/our-publications/reports/statistics/Documents/home-education-registrations.pdf

Marie, J. (2025). Homeschooling becomes more mainstream as registrations rise in Australia. ABC News, https://educationhq.com/news/homeschooling-numbers-are-surging-why-and-should-we-be-concerned-182591/

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Autism in young Australians - Alycia Lenton

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Autism in young Australians - Alycia Lenton

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There has been a significant increase in Australians with autism within a two year period from 2018 to 2022, with autism rising to 1.1% from its previous 0.8%. There is 4.3% documented autism in ages ranging from 5-14 years. This is a 1.1% increase since 2018. Sex at birth also seems to play a role in autism prevalence in young Australians between males and females, with 6.1% of males diagnosed, compared to 2.3% for females. (Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2024)

Australian Bureau of Statistics (2024). Autism in Australia, 2022. Australian Bureau of
Statistics. https://www.abs.gov.au/articles/autism-australia-2022#autism-prevalence

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Looking forward to seeing what you've found - share some data and tell us what it means!

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Autism prevalence in Australian youth - Madlyn Wright

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Autism prevalence in Australian youth - Madlyn Wright

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As of 2022, Australia's population consisted of 1.1% of people diagnosed with autism. Data shows that people within the ages of 5 to 14 were the most likely to have been diagnosed, with a steady decline happening in age groups from 15 to 24. In 2018, 3.2% of children in the 5-14 age group were autistic. A 1.1% incline is shown in the data from 2022 where 4.3% of the same age group were autistic. The decline in prevalence can be seen in the ages 15-24 where 2.0% were autistic in 2018, followed by an increase of 1% in 2022, showing 3.0% of those ages were diagnosed with autism (Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2024).

Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2024). Autism in Australia, 2022. Australian Bureau of Statistics. https://www.abs.gov.au/articles/autism-australia-2022

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Social Media Impact on Teenagers Mental Health - Cheynae Jones

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Social Media Impact on Teenagers Mental Health - Cheynae Jones

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Teenagers' excessive use of social media has increased dramatically, rising from 7% in 2018 to 11% in 2022, according to new statistics from the World Health Organisation Regional Office for Europe. There are significant concerns regarding the effects of digital technology on young people's mental health and wellbeing, especially in light of the fact that 12% of teenagers are at risk of engaging in inappropriate gaming (Teens, Screens and Mental Health, 2021).

Teens, screens and mental health. (2021). Who.int. https://www.who.int/europe/news-room/25-09-2024-teens--screens-and-mental-health

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The effect of autism and disability on education – Louise Aslat

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The effect of autism and disability on education – Louise Aslat

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People with autism spectrum disorder face difficulties within their learning environment. The addition of a disability increases these impacts. In 2022, 97.3% of those aged 5-20 years with ASD and a disability had an educational restriction. 53.4% were more than twice as likely to have trouble fitting in socially in comparison to non-autistic people with a disability at only 23.2% and communication difficulties are almost tripled at 51% compared to only 16.7% in those with just a disability.

Australian Bureau of Statistics (2024, October). Autism in Australia, 2022. ABS https://www.abs.gov.au/articles/autism-australia-2022#autism-prevalence