New measles cases in Queensland showed ‘herd immunity’ is now more important than ever, report Frank Beard and Kristine Macartney The World Health Organization (WHO) declared Australia free of measles in 2014. Historically, high childhood measles vaccination coverage and thorough follow-up of suspected cases have helped prevent...
While the lunch-box contents matter most, the container plays a big role in whether kids can open it, keep food fresh, and eat independently without help. Reviewers and family testers consistently highlight a few key design features: Kid-friendly latches and easy-open lids so children don’t need adult help at school. ...
Starting school was a far bigger wrench for me than it was for my son, writes Cathy Watson “Sending my second child – my ‘soft’ son – into the ruthless world of school was a harsh concept and I struggled with it far more than he...
We need a better food labelling system. Parents especially find the Health Star Ratings confusing and unhelpful, write Juliet Bennett, Alex Broom, and Davi Raubenheimer Food labels are intended to support healthy choices. But not all labelling schemes are equal. Australia currently uses a voluntary Health Star...
Should anti-bullying approaches encourage kids to be ‘upstanders’? The evidence is not clear, writes Karyn Healy School bullying is one of the most serious issues facing Australian schools. Students who are bullied can be left psychologically and emotionally devastated for years afterwards. Recently, the federal government released the...
Note: this is a companion piece to H2Know: How to Keep Your Family Safer Around Water National drowning deaths (all ages) 357 people drowned in Australia in the 2024–25 financial year, a significant increase (27% above the 10-year average). This is the highest national drowning toll since...
Pool parties, icy poles, brightly coloured swimmers and backyard barbecues — for many Australian families, summer and water go hand in hand. But while water play is a cherished part of childhood, it also brings very real risks. Drowning remains one of the leading causes of...
‘We get bucketloads of homework’: so what do young people think about this crucial time in their lives? ask researchers Katherine Stevens and Peter R. Whipp Starting high school is one of the most significant transitions young people make in their education. Many different changes happen at...
I love my friends… I do not love their kids, writes Catherine E. Wood At this time of the year, with lots of parties, family catch-ups and holiday plans, you might be reminded of how much you love your friends. But as their kids pester for screen...
‘Make the platforms safer’: what young people really think about the social media ban, writ researchers Kim Osman, Lynrose Jane Genon and Michael Dezuanni On December 10th, thousands of young Australians under 16 lost access to their accounts across ten social media platforms, as the teen...
