As Australia prepares to introduce a social media ban for under-16s on December 10, many children are worried about losing touch with their friends. While platforms must take steps to block underage accounts, experts say the real work will happen at home – where parents will...
Will it make a difference? Asks Luke Beck Two teenagers are taking the federal government to the High Court. They argue the ban on social media accounts for under-16s is unconstitutional because it interferes with free political communication. The ban is due to take effect on December...
Did you know handwriting can boost your child’s brainpower? Discover why learning to write by hand still matters — for creativity, focus and lifelong learning. The lost art of handwriting In an age where children spend hours each day tapping and swiping, the simple act of writing...
Kate Wattus seeks a permanent symbol of her fertility. Waiting for the Needle: A Calm Exterior, Shaky Hands As I try to anticipate the itchy sting of the buzzing needle, I sit with my legs outstretched and read my library book, a picture of calm repose. ‘Oh...
New research shows most teenagers are stuck in a cycle of poor diet, low activity, and too much screen time – but parents can help turn things around. Too Much Fast Food, Not Enough Greens When a cheeseburger costs less than a punnet of strawberries, it’s no...
All parents want their children to be happy and confident. But as clinical psychologist Renee Mill explains, praise alone won’t build lasting self-belief. True confidence comes when children learn to master challenges for themselves. When Love and Praise Aren’t Enough When I met Gerald and Tina, they...
We need a lot more data, write Daryl Higgins and Gabrielle Hunt. How should daycare centres respond? Parents have spoken about harrowing cases of their young children being abused by other children in daycare centres, as part of an ABC investigation into the New South Wales...
Is that likely to happen in Australia? Researchers Jennifer Koplin, Desalegn Markos Shifti and Rachel Peters say the Testing is different, but new findings support the current guidelines in Australia. A new study published in the journal Pediatrics shows peanut allergies are becoming less common in...
New research reveals the surprising ways parents influence teen sleep patterns – and what you can do to help, with less guilt and conflict report Rosalind Ge and Vanessa Cropley It’s nearly midnight on a school night. Your teenager’s light is still on. Maybe they’re finishing...
Don’t dismiss kids’ sadness or anger, writes Catherine Page Jeffery. And don't assume they are now 'safe' online. In just over a month, Australia’s social media ban will begin. From December 10, those under 16 will only be able to see publicly available content on platforms such...
