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More than two-thirds of young people are struggling to unwind and feel an increasing sense of uncertainty around the future of artificial intelligence, while cost of living remains the number one concern for Australians aged 18 to 24, according to a new national survey.<\/p>\n
The annual Gen Z Wellbeing Index, released this week, found that 69 per cent of young Australians feel guilty for relaxing, citing worries around wasting time or feeling that they should be doing something deemed to be productive instead.<\/p>\n
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Two-thirds of Australian Gen Zers said they feel guilty about resting. iStock<\/p>\n
University student Alyssa Mortimore, 19, said that despite knowing the importance of unwinding, she often felt stressed from doing too much and struggled to take a break.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019re seeing so many people at times who are overworking themselves to the point where they\u2019re not able to do anything,\u201d she said. \u201cI find I\u2019m still guilty of doing that sometimes as well.\u201d<\/p>\n
Despite her peers\u2019 attitudes, Mortimore said taking rest seriously had become something that most helped her adjust to life in Melbourne after moving from the small Tasmanian town of Huonville two years ago.<\/p>\n
Related Article \u201cTo go into a big city where your face can practically disappear was very, very jarring,\u201d she said. \u201cIt was quite stressful, and I truthfully had a lot of anxiety attacks, which was not enjoyable.\u201d<\/p>\n Since then, Mortimore has made hobbies and relaxation \u2013 without the expectation of it being productive \u2013 a non-negotiable in her schedule.<\/p>\n \u201cI really love doing art, especially when I\u2019m not going through the best time mentally,\u201d said Mortimore. \u201cOr if I can\u2019t make art because I\u2019m feeling burnt out, I will just listen to new music.\u201d<\/p>\n Professor of wellbeing science at the University of Melbourne Nikki Rickard said that while experiencing periods of boredom and mental quietness might feel foreign, it is essential for young people\u2019s development and wellbeing<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cMentally, emotionally, even socially \u2013 to be able to have time on your own and not depend always on back and forth between other people is a critical part of our natural development,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n Research from the University of Sydney earlier this year found<\/a> the number of mental disorders in those aged 16 to 24 has surged from 23.4 per cent in 2007 to 36.2 per cent in 2022 \u2013 a relative increase of about 54 per cent.<\/p>\n Of the survey respondents, one in four (26 per cent) reported they could not manage more than three hours without their phone.<\/p>\n Concerns about the cost of living was ranked as the number one issue for the third year in a row, followed by housing and rental affordability, and mental health.<\/p>\n Related Article The prevalence of AI and concerns about its societal impact was listed as the fourth-most significant concern this year \u2013 up from 10th place in 2025.<\/p>\n While 34 per cent of participants worried about how AI would impact the future jobs market, one in four Gen Zers turned to AI when in need of life advice.<\/p>\n Traditionally, Rickard said, \u201cyoung people are pretty bad at seeking help for their mental health\u201d, noting that AI technology has helped fill the gaps where stigma or accessibility to services act as a barrier for seeking professional support.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s where AI tools and digital tools offer a level of personalisation that can be really helpful, particularly for marginalised groups,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n However, Rickard stressed the importance of using specialised AI tools that have been rigorously trained as professionals are.<\/p>\n Dhananjay Nagpal, 20, is studying computer science at the University of Melbourne and said he mostly uses AI for academic purposes, but sometimes to reflect on his own thoughts.<\/p>\n \u201cNot asking for advice, but maybe just reassuring myself,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n \u201cBut again, it\u2019s just a computer, right? So you can\u2019t really trust it.\u201d<\/p>\n University of Melbourne critical thinking researcher Dr Samantha-Kaye Johnston said personalised general-purpose AI systems appeal to young people \u201cbecause they\u2019re quite convincing in terms of how they anticipate their needs, and they\u2019re available 24\/7\u201d.<\/p>\n But she warned that in order to be genuinely beneficial to a person\u2019s development, AI chatbots and coaches need to be designed to provide cognitive friction, \u201cwhich is the intellectual effort that\u2019s involved in questioning information and being comfortable in encountering competing perspectives instead of just immediately receiving an answer\u201d.<\/p>\n Johnston said it comes down to encouraging young people to reach a level of autonomy to know when to turn away from chatbots for guidance, and providing them with the skills and tools to know how to turn towards the humans in their lives.<\/p>\n Start the day with a summary of the day\u2019s most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter<\/a>.<\/p>\n Save<\/p>\n You have reached your maximum number of saved items.<\/p>\n![\"Dating](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/76dc29a64865f646213b9acb4b9fbc39c7d2f623.jpeg\")
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Dhananjay Nagpal said he uses AI to reassure himself. Jason South<\/p>\n![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/1793341933_948_055d4fb3f493205109d73bf4ed3d07df0e82f343.jpeg\")
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