More than one-fifth of young people have been bullied or harassed online, according to a national poll of 15-20 year olds launched by Senator Natasha Stott Despoja in Adelaide today.
Senator Stott Despoja’s annual Youth Poll, now in its 16th year, found that while the internet plays a critical role in young people’s lives (64% had a social networking site such as MySpace and Facebook), 22% had also experienced online bullying or harassment.
Youth Poll 2008 also found:
• 58% of respondents supported same-sex marriage;
• rates of youth binge drinking, smoking and other drug use had all declined compared to previous Youth Poll surveys;
• body image was a major concern to 54% of those surveyed;
• 46% knew a young person who had attempted or committed suicide; and
• 72% supported the Government’s signing of the Kyoto Protocol.
“Over the past 16 years, Youth Poll has provided a wealth of information about young people’s lives and opinions, to policy-makers around Australia,” Senator Stott Despoja said.
“I thank all those who have taken part in the survey over the years and urge the Federal Government to initiate an independent poll in its place, so this important youth voice is not lost.”
State-specific findings for 2008 include:
• 69% of SA respondents support the proposed desalination plant;
• 72% of ACT respondents reject lowering the voting age;
• 47% of NT respondents want the NT to become a State;
• 51% of Victorian respondents think public transport in their State is inadequate;
• 53% of WA respondents say house and rental prices have stopped them from leaving home;
• 55% of QLD respondents believe 17 year-olds should not be imprisoned in adult prisons;
• 61% of Tasmanian respondents do not want the Tamar Valley Pulp Mill to proceed; and
• 62% of NSW respondents oppose the new P-plate licence conditions.
