Vaping

Vaping has rapidly emerged as major concerns among Australian youth.

By 2023, 28% of 14-17-year-olds had tried vaping, nearly triple the rate in 2019, and over 21% of 18-24-year-olds were current users.

Vaping rates are highest among early high school students, and girls are increasingly represented among regular users.

The long-term risks include nicotine dependence, respiratory issues, and a higher likelihood of transitioning to other substances.

 Bullying remains a serious concern in Australian high schools.

While traditional face-to-face bullying has slightly declined, cyberbullying has surged with the eSafety Commissioner receiving 2,978 cyberbullying complaints in 2024, a 25% increase from the previous year.

Girls are twice as likely as boys to experience online harassment, often through covert social and digital channels.

Reports show bullying peaks in Years 7-9, with 12–13-year-olds accounting for over one-third of cyberbullying complaints.