The ABC has just completed its 2021 version of Australia Talks, with most focus this year on the effects of the current pandemic on Australian’s lives.

Perhaps disturbingly, finding a trustworthy source of information was highlighted as a problem for most of the population, and misinformation is the number one issue selected by Australians as a problem for the country, beating other major issues such as climate change and having enough money for retirement.
 

 
79% of Australians think it is now harder to find a trustworthy source of information with the most concern among conservative voters.
 

Having access to more technology and portable devices, may be convenient but a big majority now say that comes at the expense of state of mind, affecting sleep, social cohesion and interpersonal relationshiops.

There was also concern about technology affecting National security, though respondents were more positive about its effect on education and jobs.

During a period of being when it could be argued that the population is now extra reliant on technology, about half the country think they spend too much time online, with younger Australians in particular agreeing that this is a problem.

Older Australians say they are less concerned about the time they spend online, but even a quarter of people over 75 think it’s a problem.
 

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