They’re marketed as friendly, supportive and even comforting—but AI companion chatbots are raising major safety concerns for children. A new Australian report reveals worrying gaps in how these platforms protect young users. AI companions are already part of kids’ digital lives AI chatbots designed to act like...
Once, the only nut butter on the supermarket shelf was peanut butter, write Lauren Ball and Emily Burch. Now you can also buy almond, cashew, hazelnut and macadamia nut butters, or blends. So which is the healthiest nut butter to spread on your toast? As we’ll see,...
Ever snapped at your child and wondered, Where did that come from? A new parenting book explains why our own childhood shapes our reactions—and how small, thoughtful shifts can help break the cycle. Why reactions can feel bigger than the moment Most parents recognise it—the sharper tone...
Australia is weighing a potential ban on infant formula advertising, amid concerns about how these products are promoted online. A closer look at the ads reveals the messages and marketing tactics shaping how parents make feeding decisions. Madeleine Stirling, Christine Parker and Daniel Angus...
A new diagnosis of ‘profound autism’ is on the cards. Researchers Kelsie Boulton, Marie Antoinette Hodge and Rebecca Sutherland, look at what could change. When it comes to autism, few questions spark as much debate as how best to support autistic people with the greatest needs. This prompted...
Blind box* toys such as Labubu are hugely popular with children and collectors, but their mystery packaging means buyers don’t know what they’ll get until they open the box. César Albarrán-Torres and Jessica Balanzategui say the chance-based appeal raises questions about gambling-like behaviour. If you walk...
After an Australian teenager died after eating beef sausages on a camping trip, it has been confirmed as the nation’s first death from a tick-induced meat allergy, reports Alexander Gofton (CSIRO). New South Wales Deputy State Coroner Carmel Forbes ruled that Jeremy Webb died in 2022...
It’s hard to escape the news right now. From global conflict to political tension, distressing headlines and confronting images are never more than a swipe away — for us, and increasingly, for our children. As parents, we’re walking a delicate line. We want our kids to...
A new survey reveals many boys still feel pressure to hide emotions, appear tough and conform to traditional ideas of masculinity, reports Michael Flood. Experts say these stereotypes can affect boys’ wellbeing, friendships and willingness to seek help. Rigid norms of manhood, based in manly confidence and...
Online spaces promoting extreme ideas about masculinity are reaching more teenage boys. As the Netflix documentary Louis Theroux: Inside the Manosphere sparks debate, Australia’s eSafety Commissioner says open conversations at home are key. What is the “manosphere”? Parents may have heard the term recently thanks to the Netflix...
