Chatbot teddies for three‑year‑olds?

AI toys like ChattyBear are sold to young kids as a smart, screen-free alternative to normal play — but they're not as harmless as they seem. Their friendly, human-like chat can build false trust in children, and researchers have raised concerns about inappropriate content, data privacy and a lack of safety rules.

Should Australia consider the Netherlands’ proposed ban on ‘Kidfluencers’?

The Netherlands is considering making it illegal to use children under 16 in paid social media content, framing it as child labour. With Australia's under-16s social media ban already in place, it raises an uncomfortable question: who is really benefiting when a child becomes the content?

EDITOR’S PICKS

Toy Story 5 pits traditional toys vs a tablet.
Toy Story 5 is the latest instalment of the film franchise addresses a dilemma many parents face: what happens to playtime when children become obsessed with screens?
Editor
02 July, 2026
Why choosing a school holiday program can be tricky
Alyssa Milton, Emily Eglitis and Kate Harrison Brennan have done the research and say here’s how you can identify a good one When the bell rings at the end of each term, there is a happy buzz as kids leave school for the break. But...
Editor
25 June, 2026
Why Aussie kids need more local shows on their screens
Australian children are growing up with more screen choices than ever before, but new research warns they may be seeing fewer stories that reflect their own lives, communities and culture. A new RMIT University report, Australian Children’s Television at the Crossroads, says Australia’s children’s television sector...
Editor
18 June, 2026
Worried about feeding your baby solid foods? Here’s what you should know
Worried about feeding your baby solid foods? Here’s what you should know, report Lillian Krikheli and Samantha Turner When you have a baby, mealtimes can be messy and stressful. If you’re a new parent you may be unsure what, when, and how to feed your...
Editor
11 June, 2026
Recipe: Apple and Oat Crumble Dessert for under $2 per serve
A warm, easy pudding using pantry basics and any tired fruit in the bowl This is a good one for families because it feels like dessert, but it’s mostly fruit, oats and pantry staples. It is also forgiving — you can use apples, pears, frozen...
Editor
04 June, 2026
Your smart home can be easily hacked. Stay vigilant!
New safety standards will help, but stay vigilant, advises Yang Xiang. On a quiet suburban street, a modern Australian home wakes before its owners do. The lights turn on automatically, the thermostat adjusts to a comfortable temperature, and the coffee machine begins brewing. A doorbell...
Editor
21 May, 2026

Celebrating Mothers

When Work Makes You a Better Parent
Kylie Ladd reflects on the relief, guilt and quiet joy that can come with reclaiming working time after the intense early years of parenting. When my youngest child started school, for the first time in almost nine years, large chunks of each weekday belonged solely...
Editor
25 June, 2026
Worried about feeding your baby solid foods? Here’s what you should know
Worried about feeding your baby solid foods? Here’s what you should know, report Lillian Krikheli and Samantha Turner When you have a baby, mealtimes can be messy and stressful. If you’re a new parent you may be unsure what, when, and how to feed your...
Editor
11 June, 2026
Stressing about your baby’s growth check?
Here’s what you need to know, report Amit Arora, Hannah Dahlen, Jessica Appleton and Lynn Kemp If you’ve ever taken your child to a maternal, child and family health nurse for a growth check, you might have felt a mix of curiosity and anxiety. As...
Editor
11 June, 2026
Why Family Mealtimes Bring Out the Sayings We Swore We’d Never Use
Family dinners with young children can be messy, noisy and exhausting. Rebecca James finds herself reaching for an old family saying — and realising she may be turning into her grandfather after all. The nightly chaos of feeding children “I don’t like this!” Jimmy makes...
Editor
04 June, 2026