For young Australians reluctant to call abuse helplines, a digital ‘support multiverse’ could break down barriers

Experts say young people face significant barriers to seeking help, and current systems rarely reflect how adolescents communicate. Photograph: Safe Steps/Venn/Minderoo Pictures

Young people brought up in the digital era are increasingly reluctant to make phone calls – a recent UK study found 30% of people aged between 16 and 29 feared picking up the phone.

Yet many avenues for children and young people living with family abuse still direct them to dial a helpline number in the first instance, rather than to use a text or web chat option they might find more familiar.