Risk Behaviours

How can universities create environments where every student feels safe, respected and supported? RMIT University is taking a comprehensive approach to preventing bullying, discrimination and gender-based violence through a range of interconnected initiatives focused on education, leadership development, support services and community engagement. Grounded in national recommendations and frameworks addressing student safety and gender-based violence, […]

How do you prepare students to represent their university, support one another, and stay safe at a major multi-day sporting event? La Trobe University’s 2025 Uni Nationals Participant Training provides a strong example of how sport can be used as a platform for leadership, wellbeing, community responsibility and student safety. Designed for students representing Team […]

Sexual violence remains a critical risk to student safety and wellbeing, and this Australian study demonstrates the potential of scalable digital interventions to address it. Led by researchers at The University of Queensland, the study evaluated a university-wide online module focused on consent, bystander intervention, and responding to disclosures. The results showed meaningful improvements in […]

Australian university students are at a life stage where sexual health risks are higher, yet many are not accessing the services designed to support them. This large Australian study, led by researchers from The University of Queensland with collaboration from multiple institutions, surveyed 4,291 students across five universities to understand how and why students use […]

Alcohol advertising on social media is a constant presence for young Australian university students, raising concerns about how online environments may normalise drinking and influence risky alcohol behaviours. In a University of Queensland study, 125 students aged 17–24 scrolled Facebook or Instagram for 30 minutes and recorded every alcohol ad they saw. On average, students […]

The transition into university is a period of major lifestyle change, yet limited evidence has tracked how student health behaviours and mental wellbeing are shifting over time. This research examined trends in diet, physical activity, sleep, sedentary behaviour and substance use, alongside psychological distress, in first-year Australian university students across four cohorts from 2016 to […]

The use of social networks has grown dramatically, with 62.3% of the world’s population reportedly engaging on these platforms for an average of 2 hours and 23 minutes each day. While social media can be a powerful tool for communication, education, and connection, it can also spread misinformation and contribute to unhealthy usage patterns. This […]

Drunkorexia is a concerning blend of disordered eating and alcohol misuse and is emerging as a significant issue among young women at university. Characterised by behaviours such as meal skipping, excessive exercise, or purging to compensate for alcohol calories, it is often driven by body image pressures and social drinking culture. Recent Australian research found […]

The habits formed during university years often shape long-term health outcomes, making this a critical period for establishing positive behaviours. However, this period is also marked by shifts in movement-related behaviours (such as physical activity and sedentary time) and increased substance use, often in unhealthy directions. Physical inactivity, prolonged sedentary behaviour, and alcohol use are […]

Since the iPhone’s launch in 2007, smartphones have shifted from being a luxury to a daily necessity. However, growing overdependence on technology—particularly smartphones—may carry health risks. A recent systematic review spanning 12 countries examined the relationship between smartphone addiction and physical activity among university students. The findings revealed a clear inverse relationship: students with higher […]