And what makes a good one? Asks Chris Speldewinde In Australia we have a long history of taking children outdoors to learn about the natural environment. But thanks to computer games, tablets and busy lifestyles, children aren’t getting as much exposure to nature as they used...
One incident served as a stark reminder to Victoria Baker of the risks associated with innocently sharing children's information online. In a digital age where sharing every moment seems like second nature, my husband and I have made a conscious decision to protect our child's privacy...
It’s time to change the shape of our packaged lives, argues Professor Rob Moodie. Quite a while ago, our family of four moved back from Switzerland to Australia, as I had changed jobs from the United Nations (where I was running the Division of Country Programs...
5 questions your child’s school should be able to answer about bullying, write researchers Nina Van Dyke and Fiona MacDonald As children returned to classrooms in 2024, school communities confronted bullying in person and via technology. In-person bullying and cyberbullying affect significant numbers of children and young people...
Start the conversation early, writes Nicole Lee, and be honest and avoid judgement With several drug overdoses already this festival season, and recent news of three new recreational drugs identified by the drug checking service in Canberra, many parents of teenagers will be wondering how they...
3 ways screens can get kids moving Researchers Juliana Zabatiero, Kate Highfield, Leon Straker and Susan Edwards look at how screens can help children be physically active. There have been concerns about screens making kids more sedentary and less active since TV was introduced more than half a...
How to know when your child is ready for ‘phone privacy’, writes Joanne Orlando Smartphone ownership among younger children is increasing rapidly. Many primary school children now own smartphones, and they have become the norm in high school. Parents of younger children may occasionally (or routinely) look...
As a new school year starts, reports Sai Praneeth Jasti, many families should be making sure they have the right backpack for their child. While children can have firm ideas about how their school bags look – and schools have practical requirements about what students need...
Lauren Ball, looks at what are some healthier alternatives for kids’ lunches? Western Australia has introduced a limit on ham in school canteens. Parents are reportedly confused and frustrated. So what has changed and what evidence is it based on? Shutterstock/Joe Gough Reclassifying processed meats The WA Department of...
Virtual reality grooming is an increasing danger, writes researcher Marika Guggisberg Virtual reality (VR) headsets are increasingly popular among adults and children. They are part of extended reality environments, which “enable ever more realistic and immersive experiences”. VR provides entry into computer-generated 3D worlds and games with...
