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...
One-Pot Cheesy Beef Pasta for under $5.00 per serve! A budget-friendly dinner that tastes like comfort food It has a bolognese-style base, but instead of cooking the pasta separately, the small pasta shapes cook in the sauce. That means fewer dishes, a thicker, family-friendly meal and...
Many AI-generated videos can trick you and create a very compelling narrative. Silvia Montaña-Niño and T.J. Thomson take you through the steps to check for the fakes. Global society makes billions of images and uploads hundreds of thousands of hours of video on the internet every...
A trip to the salon can be about much more than a trim, colour or manicure. Hair and beauty salons are described as spaces of self-care. But when people share more with their hairdresser than their therapist, who is really doing the care work? Asks...
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 is...
ChattyBear, a soft, brown-furred teddy bear, begins every conversation with a jubilant, “Hello, my buddy!” Tama Leaver, Katrin Langton and Suzanne Srdarov look at why AI toys are risky for kids No longer the province of the imagination, ChattyBear is part of a new generation of...
Abandoned as a child in India and later adopted by an Australian family, Madhu Rollings shares how writing down his memories helped him understand his past — and feel he belonged to two places. Making sense of my story I’m Madhu, and this is my story. I...
Most families know the 10-cent bottle and can refund as a handy way to clear out the recycling bin or give kids some pocket-money motivation. But a timely reminder about a new campaign, shows those small refunds can also become a powerful way to support...
Bruce M Smyth looks at what’s changing – and what’s been missed Many parts of the federal government’s budget have been hotly debated in recent weeks. But budgets are dense documents. There are always important measures that receive very little attention. One of these is planned changes...
Your toddler demands a Bluey-themed yoghurt and has a tantrum when offered something else. If it’s not a Nutella sandwich, your child’s lunchbox comes home uneaten. Researchers Juliet Bennett, Alex Broomand David Raubenheimer look at fussy eating and the food industry. And the dinner table can become...
