Labubu plushies aren’t just toys, reports Ming Gao.  They’re a brand new frontier for Chinese soft power One of the most sought-after items of 2025 isn’t a designer handbag or the latest tech gadget. It’s a plush elf with a snaggle-toothed grin. Labubu (拉布布) is a global...

How should we talk to our kids about abuse and body safety? writes Elizabeth Westrupp. Here’s what parents and carers can do right now. Hearing about child abuse in trusted places such as childcare centres is every parent’s worst nightmare. So, how can we talk to our...

The regulation of the working with children check system is poor, writes Rosemary Sheehan. What are working with children checks? Disturbing allegations have emerged about a Melbourne childcare worker, who has been charged with more than 70 offences, including sexual assault and producing child abuse material. Health...

We don’t really know. Even though the national childcare quality authority reports on the number of “serious incidents” in childcare services, reports Erin Harper. This week, a Melbourne childcare worker was charged over the alleged sexual abuse of young children in his care. Families are...

Evidence-based resource shares real stories and expert strategies A must-have tool for both parents and healthcare professionals Autistic parents-to-be now have a dedicated place to turn for support, thanks to a new digital resource launched by Autism Spectrum Australia (Aspect). The Aspect Autistic Pregnancy and Parenthood Hub is...

Looking for some movies for the days when holidays become too much and a little quiet time is required? Elio (Disney Pixar) Rated PG Mild themes, animated violence Running time: 1h 39m Elio, an underdog with an active imagination, finds himself inadvertently beamed up to the Communiverse, an interplanetary organization with...

Inman Grant wants Australians to consider the bill a “social media delay” rather than a ban, reports  Tama Leaver.  But AI raises even more concerns for kids. Julie Inman Grant, Australia’s eSafety Commissioner, today addressed the National Press Club to outline how her office will be...

More people believe misinformation about electric vehicles than disagree with it, and even EV owners tend to believe the myths, report researchers Christian Bretter, Matthew Hornsey and Samuel Pearson We investigated the prevalence of misinformation about EVs in four countries—Australia, the United States, Germany and Austria....

As parents, write Manjeevan Seera and Ridoan Kerim, our foremost concern has always been the safety of our children, especially in an age dominated by digital technologies, social media, and artificial intelligence. For years, we have grappled with pressing online dangers such as cyberbullying, pornography addiction,...