Section 2: About the surveys (e) Child safety and wellbeing (g) Data analysis and reporting The surveys were conducted in accordance with AHRC’s Child Safety and Wellbeing Policy,10 developed by the AHRC to comply with the National Principles for Child Safe Organisations. Qualtrics and Microsoft Excel were used to analyse the survey responses. This allowed variables to be analysed by demographic characteristics, as well as to identify key themes. All children aged under 16 years were asked to seek parent or guardian consent before completing the survey. They were asked to check a box indicating they had done so, which prompted the commencement of survey questions. Free-text responses collected through the surveys are included throughout the report to illustrate the range of experiences reported by children and their parents/guardians and grandparents, as well as to provide additional insights into the quantitative survey findings. (f) Survey distribution Some free-text responses that were specific (for example, street names when indicating their location) were not included in the totals. The surveys went live on Monday 31 January 2022—the same day children in most states and territories returned to school—and closed on Sunday 20 March 2022. The surveys were open to all children aged 9–17, and parents/guardians and grandparents of children in this age group residing in Australia. The surveys were promoted across a variety of platforms including the AHRC’s social media, via state and territory Children’s Commissioners and their networks, and via other stakeholders who engage with children and their families. The NCC also promoted the survey via media interviews, including an interview with Behind the News (BTN—an ABC television news program aimed at children aged 10–13). 22 | Percentages were rounded up to the nearest whole number when 0.5 or higher and rounded down when less than 0.5. At times this means that the reporting of percentages adds up to less or more than 100%. Additionally, survey completion has natural attrition where respondents often answer fewer questions as the survey progresses. Survey respondents were not obliged to answer any questions that they did not wish answer. Also, their responses to some questions directed their access to others. For these reasons, the number of responses to specific questions fluctuates. The number of responses (n) is reported in some questions throughout the report. While data was collected from and about both children and parents/guardians and grandparents via these surveys, analysis and reporting in this report prioritises the data received from children about their experiences and wellbeing. Parent/guardian and grandparent data is used where helpful to provide additional insights or perspectives, or to help explain findings from the children’s survey. Parent/guardian and grandparent data is primarily used when reporting about their child’s experience through either closed or open response questions. (h) Stakeholder roundtables Two stakeholder roundtables were held in June 2022, after the conclusion of the surveys to discuss key findings. The roundtables were undertaken using video conferencing. Each roundtable took approximately 1.5 to 2 hours. Participants in the first roundtable consisted of educators and representatives from mental health organisations, and the second roundtable consisted of academics and policy experts specialising in education and child mental health. Each roundtable included young people as participants, nominated by their youthfocused organisation or council. 2.4 Limitations of this research As with all research, there are some limitations that need to be considered when reading this report and interpreting the results. The surveys are based on a convenience sample. This is because it was not possible to access a reliable and ethical sampling frame within the resources and timeframes for the project. While the aim was to attract a diverse sample through the online surveys by promoting the survey through multiple channels and stakeholders, the results are not based on a representative sample. Also, those who care about a particular issue related to the pandemic may have been more likely to set time aside to participate in surveys. The mode of delivery of the survey may have also impacted access for some groups. The surveys were only available online which did not allow for equal entry to those without access to technology. The decision made on ethical grounds to not force respondents to answer all questions also led to large numbers of non-responses—in many cases up to 30 to 40% of respondents did not answer individual questions. Recognising the significance of this non-response, most of the analysis was undertaken inclusive of this nonresponse group. The reasons for non-response may have included a preference not to answer due to the sensitive nature of the question, or it may have been that respondents accidentally skipped a question (this is particularly likely when completing the survey on their phones). ‘Mental health shapes my life’: COVID-19 & kids’ wellbeing • 2022 | 23