Calls for water testing across Australia after more PFAS or toxic ‘forever chemicals' found in tap water
Among more than 20 chemicals previously undetected in Australian tap water is one occasionally found in bottled water, and another previously undetected contamination from firefighting foams.
The increased detections in samples from Sydney drinking water coincides with increased monitoring and concerns over the level of the contaminants considered safe, with some exceeding international guidelines.
'Sydney's water meets current Australian standards, but when considering health benchmarks used in other countries, some samples were near or above safety limits,' University of NSW chemistry professor William Donald said.
He was the lead author of a study in environmental chemistry journal Chemosphere which reported the analysis of 32 tap water and 10 bottled water samples from Sydney catchment areas in early 2024.
PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are a group of 15,000 highly toxic, synthetic chemicals used for their resistance to heat, stains and grease.
They are sometimes called 'forever chemicals' because they break down extremely slowly, including in humans.
The researchers detected 31 chemicals, including 21 not previously recorded, as scientists grapple with removing the chemicals from the environment.
The task is made more difficult by tiny tweaks in chemical structures creating new compounds, requiring their own assessments for toxicity, environmental persistence and potential health impacts.
'We are stuck in a whack-a-mole situation with PFAS,' Prof Donald said.
Regulating the compounds as a class of chemicals rather than individually could ease the burden.
A mobile filtration system was installed following the detection of PFAS chemicals at elevated levels in untreated water flowing into the Cascade water filtration plant in the NSW Blue Mountains in September.
Researchers are also working on materials designed to absorb and break down the chemicals in water.
The National Health and Medical Research Council updated its guidelines in June, but resisted implementing a draft guideline on perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS), allowing double the concentration first floated.
If the 4ng/L guideline used by the United States Environmental Protection Agency had been adopted, the levels detected from samples at North Richmond in Sydney's northwest would have exceeded them.
PFOS - a known carcinogen used in firefighting foam - was detected at 6ng/L in some of those samples, 2ng/L below the Australian guidelines.
Lisa Hua, who along with Prof Donald, detected PFAS in the 'tar balls' which closed Sydney beaches in October, said the low concentrations provided some reassurance.
But new technologies to remove the chemicals from the environment and prevent their release should be explored, and wider testing could provide more insight into the level of contamination across Australia.
'Expanding the current monitoring of PFAS could be beneficial to gain a greater understanding of seasonal variations of PFAS in drinking water supply,' Dr Hua said.
Import, export, manufacture and use of some PFAS chemicals was banned nationwide in July.
Europe is mulling a union-wide PFAS monitoring framework to collect data and map pollution.
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The Advertiser
31 minutes ago
- The Advertiser
Wallabies great celebrates wins in the kids' cancer field
This is branded content for The Kids' Cancer Project. Growing up, with his acclaimed rugby union career still ahead of him, Owen Finegan's future dedication to helping others was already being shaped - by his dad. "His favourite saying was, 'It's in giving that you receive'," says the former champion Australian Wallaby, now chief executive officer of The Kids' Cancer Project, Australia's largest independent not-for-profit investor in childhood cancer research. "He was one of the big influences on my life, and that was one thing he drilled into all of us. He was one of my biggest heroes and role models. " This year marks ten years since Mr Finegan took on the role at The Kids' Cancer Project, with a promise to take up the goal of its founder, Col Reynolds, to see 100 per cent of children, adolescents and young adults surviving cancer as well as living with no long-term health implications caused by their treatment. Mr Reynolds was inspired to establish the organisation more than 32 years ago after seeing two bald young cancer patients who were heading to Sydney's Westmead Children's Hospital cross in front of the bus he was driving. He was so struck by the sight that he followed them into the hospital to find out about them. Since then, The Kids' Cancer Project has contributed more than $75 million to childhood cancer research, funding 429 projects since 2005. In Australia, cancer remains the leading cause of death from disease in childhood. Around 1000 children are diagnosed with cancer every year, and three die each week. But there is plenty of hope. In the last 10 years, the survival rate has increased from 58 per cent to 87 per cent, and researchers continue to make inroads into developing kinder, less toxic cancer treatments that will mean survivors can thrive for the rest of their lives. Mr Finegan said he's grateful his rugby career helped provide him with the opportunity to be involved in raising awareness and encouraging support to provide the funding scientists need to make the innovative discoveries, advance treatments, and build support programs to improve outcomes for children and their families. "I feel very lucky," he said. "I had a great time playing for the Wallabies, representing my country. It was a decade that was a golden era for Australian rugby, and the trophy cabinets were full. "People would think what could be more rewarding than that, but this role is much more, representing young kids and their families and trying to get them a better deal. I meet children and families that have endured childhood cancer and see firsthand the importance of what we're doing." While there is the continuing sadness of attending funerals of young people, Mr Finegan is encouraged by seeing survivors, such as the son of one of his former Wallaby teammates, who, 18 months ago, celebrated his 21st. "He'd been diagnosed with neuroblastoma when he was a boy and given a 35 per cent chance of survival," he said. "I often say to people my vision is for more twenty-first birthdays and fewer funerals. You don't ever want to be going to a young child's funeral." Excited by the many achievements in the childhood cancer field since he became involved with The Kids' Cancer Project, Mr Finegan said he is confident the goal of zero deaths from childhood cancer is in sight. However, the work of The Kids' Cancer Project will continue even after that, to give survivors a better quality of life. Currently, around 80 per cent of children who survive have life-long physical, emotional and psychological problems as a result of the gruelling treatments they endure. "We're working together with other organisations in Australia and globally, and there are more and more advances with technology and big data, as well as bioinformatics, that are being used in the cancer space," he said. "When I started a decade ago, there was no such thing as AI, and now there are all those components being used, helping to speed up research projects. "We'd like to see that goal reached tomorrow, and certainly Col keeps talking about it. He's 84, still on our board, and continues to inspire us all. He got two new knees a couple of years ago and says until a cure is found he'll keep going. "He rang me four weeks ago just to tell me he's redone his will leaving everything to The Kids' Cancer Project. That's the kind of passion he has." Along with all of the research projects The Kids' Cancer Project has supported, involvement in the ZERO Childhood Cancer precision medicine program is one Mr Finegan is particularly proud of. In 2016, The Kids' Cancer Project made an initial investment of $200,000 in the personalised medicine program's initial clinical trials, which offered real-time genomic testing for Australian children with aggressive cancers. The funding allowed ZERO to demonstrate its capabilities to larger funding bodies, including state and federal governments. In March, ZERO received a $112 million investment from the Albanese Government, securing its status as a world-leading childhood cancer program. "This funding means every child with paediatric cancers will have access to personalised treatment, having their genetics tested, having their tumour tested, to find the best treatment specifically for them," Mr Finegan said. "These are some of the many big wins that are happening." To find out more about The Kids Cancer Project and how you can support its dream for no young person to die of cancer visit This is branded content for The Kids' Cancer Project. Growing up, with his acclaimed rugby union career still ahead of him, Owen Finegan's future dedication to helping others was already being shaped - by his dad. "His favourite saying was, 'It's in giving that you receive'," says the former champion Australian Wallaby, now chief executive officer of The Kids' Cancer Project, Australia's largest independent not-for-profit investor in childhood cancer research. "He was one of the big influences on my life, and that was one thing he drilled into all of us. He was one of my biggest heroes and role models. " This year marks ten years since Mr Finegan took on the role at The Kids' Cancer Project, with a promise to take up the goal of its founder, Col Reynolds, to see 100 per cent of children, adolescents and young adults surviving cancer as well as living with no long-term health implications caused by their treatment. Mr Reynolds was inspired to establish the organisation more than 32 years ago after seeing two bald young cancer patients who were heading to Sydney's Westmead Children's Hospital cross in front of the bus he was driving. He was so struck by the sight that he followed them into the hospital to find out about them. Since then, The Kids' Cancer Project has contributed more than $75 million to childhood cancer research, funding 429 projects since 2005. In Australia, cancer remains the leading cause of death from disease in childhood. Around 1000 children are diagnosed with cancer every year, and three die each week. But there is plenty of hope. In the last 10 years, the survival rate has increased from 58 per cent to 87 per cent, and researchers continue to make inroads into developing kinder, less toxic cancer treatments that will mean survivors can thrive for the rest of their lives. Mr Finegan said he's grateful his rugby career helped provide him with the opportunity to be involved in raising awareness and encouraging support to provide the funding scientists need to make the innovative discoveries, advance treatments, and build support programs to improve outcomes for children and their families. "I feel very lucky," he said. "I had a great time playing for the Wallabies, representing my country. It was a decade that was a golden era for Australian rugby, and the trophy cabinets were full. "People would think what could be more rewarding than that, but this role is much more, representing young kids and their families and trying to get them a better deal. I meet children and families that have endured childhood cancer and see firsthand the importance of what we're doing." While there is the continuing sadness of attending funerals of young people, Mr Finegan is encouraged by seeing survivors, such as the son of one of his former Wallaby teammates, who, 18 months ago, celebrated his 21st. "He'd been diagnosed with neuroblastoma when he was a boy and given a 35 per cent chance of survival," he said. "I often say to people my vision is for more twenty-first birthdays and fewer funerals. You don't ever want to be going to a young child's funeral." Excited by the many achievements in the childhood cancer field since he became involved with The Kids' Cancer Project, Mr Finegan said he is confident the goal of zero deaths from childhood cancer is in sight. However, the work of The Kids' Cancer Project will continue even after that, to give survivors a better quality of life. Currently, around 80 per cent of children who survive have life-long physical, emotional and psychological problems as a result of the gruelling treatments they endure. "We're working together with other organisations in Australia and globally, and there are more and more advances with technology and big data, as well as bioinformatics, that are being used in the cancer space," he said. "When I started a decade ago, there was no such thing as AI, and now there are all those components being used, helping to speed up research projects. "We'd like to see that goal reached tomorrow, and certainly Col keeps talking about it. He's 84, still on our board, and continues to inspire us all. He got two new knees a couple of years ago and says until a cure is found he'll keep going. "He rang me four weeks ago just to tell me he's redone his will leaving everything to The Kids' Cancer Project. That's the kind of passion he has." Along with all of the research projects The Kids' Cancer Project has supported, involvement in the ZERO Childhood Cancer precision medicine program is one Mr Finegan is particularly proud of. In 2016, The Kids' Cancer Project made an initial investment of $200,000 in the personalised medicine program's initial clinical trials, which offered real-time genomic testing for Australian children with aggressive cancers. The funding allowed ZERO to demonstrate its capabilities to larger funding bodies, including state and federal governments. In March, ZERO received a $112 million investment from the Albanese Government, securing its status as a world-leading childhood cancer program. "This funding means every child with paediatric cancers will have access to personalised treatment, having their genetics tested, having their tumour tested, to find the best treatment specifically for them," Mr Finegan said. "These are some of the many big wins that are happening." To find out more about The Kids Cancer Project and how you can support its dream for no young person to die of cancer visit This is branded content for The Kids' Cancer Project. Growing up, with his acclaimed rugby union career still ahead of him, Owen Finegan's future dedication to helping others was already being shaped - by his dad. "His favourite saying was, 'It's in giving that you receive'," says the former champion Australian Wallaby, now chief executive officer of The Kids' Cancer Project, Australia's largest independent not-for-profit investor in childhood cancer research. "He was one of the big influences on my life, and that was one thing he drilled into all of us. He was one of my biggest heroes and role models. " This year marks ten years since Mr Finegan took on the role at The Kids' Cancer Project, with a promise to take up the goal of its founder, Col Reynolds, to see 100 per cent of children, adolescents and young adults surviving cancer as well as living with no long-term health implications caused by their treatment. Mr Reynolds was inspired to establish the organisation more than 32 years ago after seeing two bald young cancer patients who were heading to Sydney's Westmead Children's Hospital cross in front of the bus he was driving. He was so struck by the sight that he followed them into the hospital to find out about them. Since then, The Kids' Cancer Project has contributed more than $75 million to childhood cancer research, funding 429 projects since 2005. In Australia, cancer remains the leading cause of death from disease in childhood. Around 1000 children are diagnosed with cancer every year, and three die each week. But there is plenty of hope. In the last 10 years, the survival rate has increased from 58 per cent to 87 per cent, and researchers continue to make inroads into developing kinder, less toxic cancer treatments that will mean survivors can thrive for the rest of their lives. Mr Finegan said he's grateful his rugby career helped provide him with the opportunity to be involved in raising awareness and encouraging support to provide the funding scientists need to make the innovative discoveries, advance treatments, and build support programs to improve outcomes for children and their families. "I feel very lucky," he said. "I had a great time playing for the Wallabies, representing my country. It was a decade that was a golden era for Australian rugby, and the trophy cabinets were full. "People would think what could be more rewarding than that, but this role is much more, representing young kids and their families and trying to get them a better deal. I meet children and families that have endured childhood cancer and see firsthand the importance of what we're doing." While there is the continuing sadness of attending funerals of young people, Mr Finegan is encouraged by seeing survivors, such as the son of one of his former Wallaby teammates, who, 18 months ago, celebrated his 21st. "He'd been diagnosed with neuroblastoma when he was a boy and given a 35 per cent chance of survival," he said. "I often say to people my vision is for more twenty-first birthdays and fewer funerals. You don't ever want to be going to a young child's funeral." Excited by the many achievements in the childhood cancer field since he became involved with The Kids' Cancer Project, Mr Finegan said he is confident the goal of zero deaths from childhood cancer is in sight. However, the work of The Kids' Cancer Project will continue even after that, to give survivors a better quality of life. Currently, around 80 per cent of children who survive have life-long physical, emotional and psychological problems as a result of the gruelling treatments they endure. "We're working together with other organisations in Australia and globally, and there are more and more advances with technology and big data, as well as bioinformatics, that are being used in the cancer space," he said. "When I started a decade ago, there was no such thing as AI, and now there are all those components being used, helping to speed up research projects. "We'd like to see that goal reached tomorrow, and certainly Col keeps talking about it. He's 84, still on our board, and continues to inspire us all. He got two new knees a couple of years ago and says until a cure is found he'll keep going. "He rang me four weeks ago just to tell me he's redone his will leaving everything to The Kids' Cancer Project. That's the kind of passion he has." Along with all of the research projects The Kids' Cancer Project has supported, involvement in the ZERO Childhood Cancer precision medicine program is one Mr Finegan is particularly proud of. In 2016, The Kids' Cancer Project made an initial investment of $200,000 in the personalised medicine program's initial clinical trials, which offered real-time genomic testing for Australian children with aggressive cancers. The funding allowed ZERO to demonstrate its capabilities to larger funding bodies, including state and federal governments. In March, ZERO received a $112 million investment from the Albanese Government, securing its status as a world-leading childhood cancer program. "This funding means every child with paediatric cancers will have access to personalised treatment, having their genetics tested, having their tumour tested, to find the best treatment specifically for them," Mr Finegan said. "These are some of the many big wins that are happening." To find out more about The Kids Cancer Project and how you can support its dream for no young person to die of cancer visit
ABC News
5 hours ago
- ABC News
Bullsbrook residents' row with Defence Department continues over PFAS 'forever' chemicals
The Department of Defence is refusing to replace residential pipes and water systems in a Perth town it contaminated with "forever chemicals". Bullsbrook, north of Perth, is home to one of several sites across the country which were contaminated with chemicals from firefighting foam used at military bases. PFAS — or per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances — is an umbrella term for a group of chemicals that do not break down, and can accumulate in soil, water, and human bodies. The federal government settled a class action in 2023 over PFAS contamination at seven sites, including Bullsbrook, and paid $132.7 million to about 30,000 claimants. Defence has been working to connect more than 200 properties in Bullsbrook to scheme water by March 2026, including installing devices to prevent water from properties flowing back into the mains system. The project is part of the "management and remediation" of PFAS contamination around the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Pearce air base. However, progress has reached a standstill for some residents who believe the internal pipework and hot water systems in their properties also need to be replaced, which the ABC understands the department has refused to do. In letters sent to residents in 2022, seen by the ABC, the Department of Defence outlined the funding arrangement for scheme water connections in West Bullsbrook. "Defence will fund any infrastructure required to connect the property to the mains pipeline, as well as any necessary plumbing works on your property and dwelling," the letter said. Bullsbrook resident Reannan Haswell said the "necessary plumbing works" should include pipes and water systems inside homes. "I still can't believe we're having this conversation ... you've got a contaminated source, it sent water through pipes, it's contaminated your whole household," Ms Haswell said. The department has agreed to fund the scheme water connection and the installation of back-flow prevention devices. Ms Haswell was the lead applicant in the class action lawsuit against the Commonwealth. Last month, she raised concerns with Defence that residents would ultimately still be using potentially contaminated water if internal piping was not replaced. In an email response to Ms Haswell, the department said it had no record of any commitment to replace pipework or hot water systems in homes. "At the time of water connection, Defence will provide instructions for the flushing of internal pipes in the residences where PFAS-impacted groundwater was previously used," the email read. "Defence will offer to collect water samples from your taps for analysis to ensure the water meets the Australian standards for safe drinking with respect to PFAS concentrations." Ms Haswell said she wasn't convinced they could flush the pipes clean of PFAS. "You can't flush it ... hence why the original plan of a portable filtration device on everyone's premise back in 2016 was not an option," she said. The Department of Defence had not responded to the ABC's enquiries by the time of publication. Ms Haswell said she felt compelled to speak out for impacted residents and taxpayers. "I thought a class action would have had that nailed on the head ... it's still not fixed, it's still not resolved," she said. "They're just woefully wasting money to give people scheme water that's not safe."
The Advertiser
6 hours ago
- The Advertiser
Body image concerns as teens seek health advice online
Teenagers risk being exposed to misinformation and harmful body image content as they turn to social media for health information. Research published by The Royal Children's Hospital on Wednesday found that while two-thirds of teens get health guidance from social media, more than a third wished their bodies were different after viewing content. Fitness and diet are among the most popular topics being accessed by teenagers on the platforms. Year 9 student Willow told AAP social media can be a harmful place as it applies pressure for young people to fit certain societal standards of beauty and body image. She said health and wellness treatments such sun tanning were widely discussed among friends at school and on social media, making them hard to avoid. "Recently I've seen (content) romanticising tan lines," she said. "It's probably not the best thing for young skin or those more prone to melanoma." The National Child Health Poll surveyed more than 1400 Australian parents, and one of their children aged between 12 and 17 years old. It found that many teens make health decisions based on social media content, with more than a third having tried or considered something new after seeing it online. Willow said she had seen peers trying trends like switching to retinol in their skincare routines, which isn't recommended for young people. Almost all young people aged 12 to 17 years use social media, with three quarters reporting it hard to know what is true and untrue. Pediatrician and director of the National Child Health Poll Anthea Rhodes said it was critical teens questioned what they saw online and learned how to find trustworthy health information. "They're being presented with huge amount of content that's often quite persuasive. It may be emotive and engaging and offers solutions or advice to common challenges that we know teenagers face," she told AAP. "This really leaves them quite vulnerable to being misled." From December, people under 16 will no longer be able to create accounts on social media platforms such as Snapchat, Instagram, Facebook ,TikTok and YouTube. The study found that 86 per cent of teens and parents interviewed believed children under 16 years will still find ways to access social media once the regulation is introduced. 'Young people are still faced with a huge amount of information to navigate once they do hit 16 and can legally enter that social media space," Dr Rhodes said. Lifeline 13 11 14 Butterfly Foundation 1800 334 673 Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800 (for people aged 5 to 25) Teenagers risk being exposed to misinformation and harmful body image content as they turn to social media for health information. Research published by The Royal Children's Hospital on Wednesday found that while two-thirds of teens get health guidance from social media, more than a third wished their bodies were different after viewing content. Fitness and diet are among the most popular topics being accessed by teenagers on the platforms. Year 9 student Willow told AAP social media can be a harmful place as it applies pressure for young people to fit certain societal standards of beauty and body image. She said health and wellness treatments such sun tanning were widely discussed among friends at school and on social media, making them hard to avoid. "Recently I've seen (content) romanticising tan lines," she said. "It's probably not the best thing for young skin or those more prone to melanoma." The National Child Health Poll surveyed more than 1400 Australian parents, and one of their children aged between 12 and 17 years old. It found that many teens make health decisions based on social media content, with more than a third having tried or considered something new after seeing it online. Willow said she had seen peers trying trends like switching to retinol in their skincare routines, which isn't recommended for young people. Almost all young people aged 12 to 17 years use social media, with three quarters reporting it hard to know what is true and untrue. Pediatrician and director of the National Child Health Poll Anthea Rhodes said it was critical teens questioned what they saw online and learned how to find trustworthy health information. "They're being presented with huge amount of content that's often quite persuasive. It may be emotive and engaging and offers solutions or advice to common challenges that we know teenagers face," she told AAP. "This really leaves them quite vulnerable to being misled." From December, people under 16 will no longer be able to create accounts on social media platforms such as Snapchat, Instagram, Facebook ,TikTok and YouTube. The study found that 86 per cent of teens and parents interviewed believed children under 16 years will still find ways to access social media once the regulation is introduced. 'Young people are still faced with a huge amount of information to navigate once they do hit 16 and can legally enter that social media space," Dr Rhodes said. Lifeline 13 11 14 Butterfly Foundation 1800 334 673 Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800 (for people aged 5 to 25) Teenagers risk being exposed to misinformation and harmful body image content as they turn to social media for health information. Research published by The Royal Children's Hospital on Wednesday found that while two-thirds of teens get health guidance from social media, more than a third wished their bodies were different after viewing content. Fitness and diet are among the most popular topics being accessed by teenagers on the platforms. Year 9 student Willow told AAP social media can be a harmful place as it applies pressure for young people to fit certain societal standards of beauty and body image. She said health and wellness treatments such sun tanning were widely discussed among friends at school and on social media, making them hard to avoid. "Recently I've seen (content) romanticising tan lines," she said. "It's probably not the best thing for young skin or those more prone to melanoma." The National Child Health Poll surveyed more than 1400 Australian parents, and one of their children aged between 12 and 17 years old. It found that many teens make health decisions based on social media content, with more than a third having tried or considered something new after seeing it online. Willow said she had seen peers trying trends like switching to retinol in their skincare routines, which isn't recommended for young people. Almost all young people aged 12 to 17 years use social media, with three quarters reporting it hard to know what is true and untrue. Pediatrician and director of the National Child Health Poll Anthea Rhodes said it was critical teens questioned what they saw online and learned how to find trustworthy health information. "They're being presented with huge amount of content that's often quite persuasive. It may be emotive and engaging and offers solutions or advice to common challenges that we know teenagers face," she told AAP. "This really leaves them quite vulnerable to being misled." From December, people under 16 will no longer be able to create accounts on social media platforms such as Snapchat, Instagram, Facebook ,TikTok and YouTube. The study found that 86 per cent of teens and parents interviewed believed children under 16 years will still find ways to access social media once the regulation is introduced. 'Young people are still faced with a huge amount of information to navigate once they do hit 16 and can legally enter that social media space," Dr Rhodes said. Lifeline 13 11 14 Butterfly Foundation 1800 334 673 Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800 (for people aged 5 to 25) Teenagers risk being exposed to misinformation and harmful body image content as they turn to social media for health information. Research published by The Royal Children's Hospital on Wednesday found that while two-thirds of teens get health guidance from social media, more than a third wished their bodies were different after viewing content. Fitness and diet are among the most popular topics being accessed by teenagers on the platforms. Year 9 student Willow told AAP social media can be a harmful place as it applies pressure for young people to fit certain societal standards of beauty and body image. She said health and wellness treatments such sun tanning were widely discussed among friends at school and on social media, making them hard to avoid. "Recently I've seen (content) romanticising tan lines," she said. "It's probably not the best thing for young skin or those more prone to melanoma." The National Child Health Poll surveyed more than 1400 Australian parents, and one of their children aged between 12 and 17 years old. It found that many teens make health decisions based on social media content, with more than a third having tried or considered something new after seeing it online. Willow said she had seen peers trying trends like switching to retinol in their skincare routines, which isn't recommended for young people. Almost all young people aged 12 to 17 years use social media, with three quarters reporting it hard to know what is true and untrue. Pediatrician and director of the National Child Health Poll Anthea Rhodes said it was critical teens questioned what they saw online and learned how to find trustworthy health information. "They're being presented with huge amount of content that's often quite persuasive. It may be emotive and engaging and offers solutions or advice to common challenges that we know teenagers face," she told AAP. "This really leaves them quite vulnerable to being misled." From December, people under 16 will no longer be able to create accounts on social media platforms such as Snapchat, Instagram, Facebook ,TikTok and YouTube. The study found that 86 per cent of teens and parents interviewed believed children under 16 years will still find ways to access social media once the regulation is introduced. 'Young people are still faced with a huge amount of information to navigate once they do hit 16 and can legally enter that social media space," Dr Rhodes said. Lifeline 13 11 14 Butterfly Foundation 1800 334 673 Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800 (for people aged 5 to 25)
