A new report by  Outward Bound reveals young Kiwis are feeling less optimistic about the future than ever, with a majority believing the world is on a downward trajectory.

The report shows over a quarter of young people have 'little to no confidence' and one in four young men report having zero close friends.

Outward Bound CEO Malindi MacLean says young people feel like they have less power to change the world around them, and this perceived lack of agency feels confronting.

"Young people who spend more than four hours a day online... they're feeling like they have less agency and control. And then there's also a gender divide, so young women are actually significantly more pessimistic than young men about the state of the world." 

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