Stress is part of growing up, but coping skills can be learned. Psychologist and Associate Professor Erica Frydenberg explains why supportive relationships, family routines and practical strategies can help children develop resilience and manage life’s everyday challenges. Why this matters for parents today From friendship worries to...
Children who experience ongoing stress and adversity across their early years are far more vulnerable to self-harm and suicidal thoughts as teenagers, new Australian research shows. Experts say the findings highlight the importance of early, family-centred support — not blame. When adversity adds up A major Australian study...
A new Australian study reveals celebrity alcohol brands are widely visible to under-18s on Instagram, raising concerns about how social media marketing may influence teens’ attitudes to drinking. Teens can easily see celebrity alcohol promotions Parents who assume social media platforms block alcohol advertising for under-18s may...
New global research shows Australian children were spending more than two hours a day on TikTok before the under-16 social media ban. But that’s only part of the story — gaming platforms, messaging apps and AI tools are quickly filling the gap. TikTok dominated children’s screen...
I’m a drowning prevention researcher, writes Amy Peden, and my kid’s school swimming carnival shocked me. It is swimming carnival season in Australia. This typically means children from about Year 2 and up are asked to swim a distance of 50 metres or one length of...
For many of us, pets are more than just animals. They are family. So, when a beloved pet dies, the grief can feel overwhelming, writes Erin Smith For some, like me, it does more than break your heart. The death of a pet can reopen old...
The words we all use matter, explains Matthew Harrison, Jessica Riordan, Sarah Timperley and Jess Rowlings. When it comes to neurodiversity – they shape how communities understand difference, who is believed and who feels safe to ask for support. For people with Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD),...
If school lunch programs are going to work in Australia, families’ support will be crucial, report researchers Brittany Johnson, Alexandra Manson and Rebecca Golley Most Australian children bring their lunch to school through a “lunchbox system”. But there is a growing push for schools to provide students...
No diagnoses and no gap fees for physios and speechies. What else do we know about Thriving Kids? Asks Helen Dickinson and Molly Saunders. Thriving Kids is back in the spotlight, after the states and territories agreed last week to match the federal government’s A$2 billion...
Some schools now offer breakfast to students before the school day begins — while many others do not. In recent years, a growing number of Australian schools have introduced breakfast clubs or morning meal programs, often supported by community groups and charities. The trend reflects...
