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HMS, HIC 2018 HSC 28a

Explain how the changes that have occurred in the lives of young pee over recent generations have influenced their health status.   (8 marks)

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  • Technology changes have significantly influenced young people’s health status because digital devices now dominate daily activities. This occurs because social media and gaming create sedentary lifestyles that reduce physical activity levels. For example, young people spend hours on smartphones and computers instead of participating in outdoor sports. This leads to increased rates of obesity and decreased cardiovascular fitness. Additionally, excessive screen time causes disrupted sleep patterns and eye strain. The reason for this is blue light exposure interferes with natural circadian rhythms.
  • Social and family structure changes have affected mental health outcomes because modern family dynamics differ from previous generations. This happens when both parents work full-time, reducing family interaction time. For instance, many young people experience increased independence but less emotional support at home. Consequently, this creates higher anxiety levels and feelings of isolation. Furthermore, social media comparison results in body image concerns and self-esteem issues that were less prevalent in earlier generations.
  • Economic pressures have influenced health behaviours because the cost of living has increased substantially. This process ensures that many young people work part-time jobs while studying. For example, students often choose cheap, processed foods over nutritious meals due to time and financial constraints. Therefore, this generates poor dietary habits and nutritional deficiencies that affect physical development and academic performance.
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  • Technology changes have significantly influenced young people’s health status because digital devices now dominate daily activities. This occurs because social media and gaming create sedentary lifestyles that reduce physical activity levels. For example, young people spend hours on smartphones and computers instead of participating in outdoor sports. This leads to increased rates of obesity and decreased cardiovascular fitness. Additionally, excessive screen time causes disrupted sleep patterns and eye strain. The reason for this is blue light exposure interferes with natural circadian rhythms.
  • Social and family structure changes have affected mental health outcomes because modern family dynamics differ from previous generations. This happens when both parents work full-time, reducing family interaction time. For instance, many young people experience increased independence but less emotional support at home. Consequently, this creates higher anxiety levels and feelings of isolation. Furthermore, social media comparison results in body image concerns and self-esteem issues that were less prevalent in earlier generations.
  • Economic pressures have influenced health behaviours because the cost of living has increased substantially. This process ensures that many young people work part-time jobs while studying. For example, students often choose cheap, processed foods over nutritious meals due to time and financial constraints. Therefore, this generates poor dietary habits and nutritional deficiencies that affect physical development and academic performance.

♦♦ Mean mark 53%.

HMS, HIC 2021 HSC 28aii

In regard to the influence of technology, compare the lives of young people today to the lives of young people in previous generations.   (5 marks)

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Similarities

  • Both current and previous generations of young people have used available technology to connect socially and access entertainment.
  • Earlier generations gathered around television sets and used landline phones to maintain friendships, while today’s young people use smartphones and social media for similar purposes.
  • Technology has consistently provided young people with new forms of recreation and social interaction throughout different eras.

Differences

  • Contemporary young people experience constant connectivity through smartphones and social media platforms, enabling instant global communication and unlimited information access. Previous generations relied on direct personal interactions and had limited, scheduled technology use like watching television at specific times.
  • Modern technology creates unique challenges including cyberbullying, social media pressure and digital addiction concerns that previous generations never faced. However, today’s young people benefit from enhanced learning opportunities through educational apps, online courses and virtual experiences unavailable to earlier generations. Previous generations spent more time in face-to-face interactions and outdoor activities without constant digital stimulation.
Show Worked Solution

Similarities

  • Both current and previous generations of young people have used available technology to connect socially and access entertainment.
  • Earlier generations gathered around television sets and used landline phones to maintain friendships, while today’s young people use smartphones and social media for similar purposes.
  • Technology has consistently provided young people with new forms of recreation and social interaction throughout different eras.

Differences

  • Contemporary young people experience constant connectivity through smartphones and social media platforms, enabling instant global communication and unlimited information access. Previous generations relied on direct personal interactions and had limited, scheduled technology use like watching television at specific times.
  • Modern technology creates unique challenges including cyberbullying, social media pressure and digital addiction concerns that previous generations never faced. However, today’s young people benefit from enhanced learning opportunities through educational apps, online courses and virtual experiences unavailable to earlier generations. Previous generations spent more time in face-to-face interactions and outdoor activities without constant digital stimulation.

HMS, HIC EQ-Bank 72

Explain how the increased accessibility of technology and global events has influenced the health behaviours of young people in Australia. In your answer, provide specific examples.   (5 marks)

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*Language highlighting the cause-effect relationship is bolded in the answer below.

  • Increased screen time due to smartphone and social media accessibility has reduced physical activity levels among young people. This leads to higher rates of sedentary behaviour and obesity.
  • Global events like COVID-19 pandemic disrupted normal routines. This causes both challenges (increased anxiety and depression) and opportunities (tele-health availability) for young people’s health.
  • Social media platforms expose young people to unrealistic body images and beauty standards. As a result, this contributes to poor body image and eating disorders.
  • Technology provides greater access to health information. This enables young people to become more informed about health issues, though this relationship results in misinformation spreading without critical evaluation skills.
  • Global connectivity through technology allows health trends to spread rapidly. This process ensures both positive (fitness challenges) and negative (dangerous viral challenges) impacts reach young people’s health behaviours quickly.
  • Online communities provide support networks for young people experiencing health issues. This interaction allows reduced isolation and demonstrates why help-seeking behaviours are becoming normalised.
Show Worked Solution

*Language highlighting the cause-effect relationship is bolded in the answer below.

  • Increased screen time due to smartphone and social media accessibility has reduced physical activity levels among young people. This leads to higher rates of sedentary behaviour and obesity.
  • Global events like COVID-19 pandemic disrupted normal routines. This causes both challenges (increased anxiety and depression) and opportunities (tele-health availability) for young people’s health.
  • Social media platforms expose young people to unrealistic body images and beauty standards. As a result, this contributes to poor body image and eating disorders.
  • Technology provides greater access to health information. This enables young people to become more informed about health issues, though this relationship results in misinformation spreading without critical evaluation skills.
  • Global connectivity through technology allows health trends to spread rapidly. This process ensures both positive (fitness challenges) and negative (dangerous viral challenges) impacts reach young people’s health behaviours quickly.
  • Online communities provide support networks for young people experiencing health issues. This interaction allows reduced isolation and demonstrates why help-seeking behaviours are becoming normalised.

HMS, HIC EQ-Bank 052

Assess the extent to which technological advances have impacted the health and wellbeing of young Australians compared to previous generations.   (8 marks)

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Judgment Statement

  • Technological advances have produced moderately negative overall impacts on young Australians’ health and wellbeing.
  • This assessment examines mental health outcomes, physical activity levels, and global connectivity effects.

Mental Health Outcomes

  • Technology demonstrates poor effectiveness in supporting youth mental health.
  • Social media shows substantial negative impacts through comparison culture and cyberbullying.
  • Anxiety rates among teens have doubled since 2010, demonstrating a high negative impact compared to pre-digital generations.
  • The results indicate strong links between technology use and psychological distress.

Physical Activity Levels

  • Technology shows limited success in promoting active lifestyles.
  • While fitness apps exist, sedentary screen time dominates behaviour. Gaming disorder affects 10% of young males.
  • Previous generations spent 3 hours outdoors per day versus today’s 45 minutes.
  • Technology achieves minimal positive outcomes, with obesity rates tripling since 1980. This reveals major physical wellbeing deterioration.

Global Connectivity

  • Technology produces mixed results for global engagement.
  • Young Australians access diverse perspectives and educational resources impossible for previous generations.
  • However, constant exposure to global crises creates unprecedented stress.
  • The 24/7 news cycles increases anxiety about global issues like climate change and conflicts.
  • While connectivity offers valuable cultural exchange, information overload can prove moderately harmful to wellbeing.

Overall Assessment

  • On balance, technology proves moderately harmful despite connectivity benefits.
  • When all factors are considered, negative mental and physical impacts outweigh advantages.
  • This assessment highlights an urgent need for digital wellbeing education. Future generations require better technology management to protect health outcomes.
Show Worked Solution

Judgment Statement

  • Technological advances have produced moderately negative overall impacts on young Australians’ health and wellbeing.
  • This assessment examines mental health outcomes, physical activity levels, and global connectivity effects.

Mental Health Outcomes

  • Technology demonstrates poor effectiveness in supporting youth mental health.
  • Social media shows substantial negative impacts through comparison culture and cyberbullying.
  • Anxiety rates among teens have doubled since 2010, demonstrating a high negative impact compared to pre-digital generations.
  • The results indicate strong links between technology use and psychological distress.

Physical Activity Levels

  • Technology shows limited success in promoting active lifestyles.
  • While fitness apps exist, sedentary screen time dominates behaviour. Gaming disorder affects 10% of young males.
  • Previous generations spent 3 hours outdoors per day versus today’s 45 minutes.
  • Technology achieves minimal positive outcomes, with obesity rates tripling since 1980. This reveals major physical wellbeing deterioration.

Global Connectivity

  • Technology produces mixed results for global engagement.
  • Young Australians access diverse perspectives and educational resources impossible for previous generations.
  • However, constant exposure to global crises creates unprecedented stress.
  • The 24/7 news cycles increases anxiety about global issues like climate change and conflicts.
  • While connectivity offers valuable cultural exchange, information overload can prove moderately harmful to wellbeing.

Overall Assessment

  • On balance, technology proves moderately harmful despite connectivity benefits.
  • When all factors are considered, negative mental and physical impacts outweigh advantages.
  • This assessment highlights an urgent need for digital wellbeing education. Future generations require better technology management to protect health outcomes.

HMS, HIC EQ-Bank 041 MC

The differences in how young people use technology compared to previous generations has led to which of the following issues?

  1. Increased rates of infectious diseases
  2. Less entrepreneurship opportunities
  3. Limited access to international music
  4. Reduced face-to-face interaction
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\(D\)

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  • D is correct. Online platforms allow communication to take place via text and chat applications rather than in person.

Other options:

  • A is incorrect as there is no evidence of technology increasing infectious diseases.
  • B is incorrect as evidence suggests that the web has actually opened up more entrepreneurship opportunities.
  • C is incorrect as technology has allowed young people have virtually unlimited access to music.

HMS, HIC EQ-Bank 037 MC

Which of the following statements BEST describes the influence of technology on young people's lives compared to previous generations?

  1. Technology has primarily had positive effects on young people's mental health.
  2. Technology impacts are minor because young people have always found ways to communicate.
  3. Technology creates new health risks but also provides unique opportunities for information access and social connection.
  4. Technology has replaced traditional communication with less meaningful interactions.
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\(C\)

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  • C is correct. Technology has both positive and negative impacts – creating new health risks (gaming disorder, cyberbullying, social comparison) while also providing unprecedented access to information and new ways to connect.

Other options:

  • A is incorrect because technology has produced significant negative mental health impacts.
  • B is incorrect as it understates the significant changes technology has introduced.
  • D is incorrect as it is too one-sided and ignores the positive aspects of technological advancement.

\(\Rightarrow C\)

HMS, HIC EQ-Bank 047

Outline THREE ways in which technology use can negatively affect the mental health of young people.   (3 marks)

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Sample Answer

Technology can negatively affect young people’s mental health in multiple ways:

  • Social media platforms often present unrealistic, curated versions of others’ lives. This can lead to unhealthy social comparisons and feelings of inadequacy.
  • The reduced face-to-face interaction resulting from increased online communication can contribute to social isolation and loneliness.
  • Additionally, gaming disorder can develop when young people engage in excessive gaming. This can adversely affect their personal, educational and social lives.
Show Worked Solution

Sample Answer

Technology can negatively affect young people’s mental health in multiple ways:

  • Social media platforms often present unrealistic, curated versions of others’ lives. This can lead to unhealthy social comparisons and feelings of inadequacy.
  • The reduced face-to-face interaction resulting from increased online communication can contribute to social isolation and loneliness.
  • Additionally, gaming disorder can develop when young people engage in excessive gaming. This can adversely affect their personal, educational and social lives.