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This section features commentary, opinion pieces, and insights from our contributors. Here, we discuss the trends, ideas, and issues shaping Australia’s youth today.


Rising Repeat Offences Among Victorian Youth: Why the Cycle Is Getting Harder to Break
A violent machete fight at a Melbourne shopping centre once again draws public attention to Victoria’s youth crime problem. But beyond the headlines, the real crisis is the surge in repeat offences, and the question of why our systems can’t seem to stop them.
May 304 min read


Minecraft Movie Mayhem: How the ‘Chicken Jockey’ Trend Took Over the World
We're all aware of the viral chicken jockey trend that turned Minecraft movie screenings into pandemonium. But this isn’t the first time a strange pop culture moment has gripped the internet, and it won’t be the last.
May 23 min read


Youth Drug Offences Hit New Low as National Drug Strategy Nears End. What Comes Next?
With the National Drug Strategy’s 10-year plan set to conclude in 2026, new ABS data shows youth drug offences have fallen to their lowest level since records began. We break down what this means, and where policy should go from here.
Apr 42 min read


Will Movie Attendance Ever Return to Pre-COVID Levels, Or Has Streaming Stolen the Show?
For as long as Australians have been queuing for bags of delicious overpriced popcorn, one thing has been consistent: 14–24-year-olds go...
Nov 14, 20243 min read


Australia’s Youth Vaping More Than Ever: A Deep Dive Into New Data
In just a few short years, e-cigarettes have gone from niche novelty to mainstream accessory for young Australians. The 2022–23 National...
Jul 19, 20244 min read


Australia Is Failing at Language Learning: Why That Matters
In 2021, only 8.6% of Year 12 students studied a language, making it the least popular senior subject in the country. The numbers tell us something uncomfortable: for most Australian students, learning another language isn’t even on the radar.
Apr 26, 20243 min read
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