More than 20 sunscreens were pulled from the shelves in 2025 after testing showed they were below their advertised SPF rating – so where does this leave us for summer 2026? Asks Sophie Paquet-Fifield In Australia, we are exposed to some of the harshest and most...
If you’re anything like me, parenting (and pregnancy) has a habit of sending you down some very specific Google rabbit holes, writes Susie Williams From sleep and behaviour to screens and pregnancy worries, parents’ search histories offer a revealing snapshot of what’s really weighing on families...
As Australian families prepare for the start of a new school year, many parents are asking a quiet but important question: will this classroom really work for my child? For families of children with disability, developmental delay, autism or additional learning needs, inclusion is about more...
If your child falls apart the moment they get home from school, you’re not imagining it — and you’re definitely not alone. Afternoon meltdowns, bedtime blow-ups and tears over seemingly small things are incredibly common in young children, especially during the early primary years. What looks like...
Australia is battling its biggest rise in whooping cough cases in 35 years. So why the surge? Asks Archana Koirala During 2024 and 2025 Australia recorded 82,513 whooping cough cases – the highest number since monitoring began in 1991. Also known as pertussis or the “100-day cough”,...
Australia introduced new rules on December 10th, 2025 requiring social media platforms to stop children under 16 from creating or maintaining accounts. This extract is from Screen Smart Children, which answers many of the burning questions parents might have. One reason for the new social media...
Strategic thinking is essential today as we navigate social challenges, writes Nelly Liyanagamage If you’re tired of the same old Monopoly, perhaps it’s time to try Settlers of Catan. It’s a strategy board game for three to four players fighting to be the dominant force on Catan...
New Australian research shows that raising the school-leaving age reduced child maltreatment and emergency hospital visits. Here’s why staying in school matters for vulnerable teens. When staying at school protects children Keeping teenagers engaged in school doesn’t just improve learning outcomes — it can also protect their...
As families get ready for a new school year, many parents are snapping first-day photos and sharing them online. But child safety experts are urging families to pause before posting — warning that even innocent images can reveal far more than intended. Leading child protection organisation...
For many families, the holidays mean sleep routines go out the window. Bedtimes drift later, screens stay on into the late evening, sleep-ins become the norm. Researchers Yaqoot Fatima, Danielle Wilson, Jasneek Chawla, and Nisreen Aouira show how to get them back into a sleep...
