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Understanding how digital technology is impacting young people
The National Mental Health Commission is seeking to deepen the conversation around the relationship between digital technologies and youth mental health.
Background
Digital technologies are a big part of the world in which young people live, learn, play and grow. Our goal is to understand how young people use digital technologies and how they impact them.
We want to make sure that strategies aimed at protecting young people as they engage with digital technologies do not take away the positive experiences they have, and the benefits digital technologies bring to young people’s mental health and wellbeing.
Consultation report
In 2023, the Commission consulted with a youth advisory group, expert advisory group and the public (via online survey) to begin to explore the impacts of digital technology on youth mental health.
Thank you to everyone who participated in the public consultation process. Your feedback contributed to the consultation summary document.
The consultation summary identifies the:
Positive ways in which young people are engaging with digital technologies.
Limitations of existing research.
Importance of collaboration with a broad range of stakeholders.
Need to co-design solutions with diverse range of young people.
Need to take a balanced approach to developing solutions.
Next steps
As a result of the feedback received, the Commission is planning further research to:
Better understand how young people interact with digital technologies
Identify factors that have positive, neutral, or negative impacts on young people's mental health
Examine how experiences vary between different groups.
The Commission has undertaken work to better understand the interplay between digital technologies and mental health. In 2023 the Commission held a 3-part consultation consisting of a public consultation via an online survey, input from an Expert Advisory Group, and input from a Youth Advisory Group. This document is a summary of the consultations.
This paper intends to serve as a discussion starter. The National Mental Health Commission wants to deepen the conversation around digital technologies and mental health so that we can better understand what components of technology are helpful or harmful.
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Children & family
Digital & Technology
Acknowledgement of Country
The Commission acknowledges the traditional custodians of the lands throughout Australia. We pay our respects to their clans, and to the elders, past and present, and acknowledge their continuing connection to land, sea and community.
Diversity
The Commission is committed to embracing diversity and eliminating all forms of discrimination in the provision of health services. The Commission welcomes all people irrespective of ethnicity, lifestyle choice, faith, sexual orientation and gender identity.
Lived Experience
We acknowledge the individual and collective contributions of those with a lived and living experience of mental ill-health and suicide, and those who love, have loved and care for them. Each person’s journey is unique and a valued contribution to Australia’s commitment to mental health suicide prevention systems reform.
