We asked 5 experts, writes Fron Jackson-Webb One in four Australian children aged two to 17 are classified as above a healthy weight, based on their body mass index (or BMI, which is weight divided by height squared). The Australian College of Nursing says school nurses can...
School bullying is depressingly common, writes Andrew Trounson, but having a group of friends, not just a single “bestie”, may bolster a child’s resilience. Surviving school bullies may be a numbers game. Having a group of friends to rely on rather than a single “best” friend appears...
Researcher Nusrat Homaira looks at what this means and what you can do about it. We may think of air pollution as an outdoor problem caused by car exhaust and smog. But if the air inside our homes is polluted, this can also affect our health. In...
Or is there a better way to talk about achievement? Asks Sarah Jefferson It’s become a ritual in our family – after a long day at his rowing regatta, my 17-year-old son and I get fast food on the way home. I am sure there are...
Lisa M. Given looks at how it would work The South Australian government is moving ahead with plans to ban children under 14 from social media. Under the proposal, teens aged 14 and 15 would also need parental consent to have social media accounts. South Australian Premier...
After a parent is killed due to domestic violence, writes Hannah Morrice, children aren’t given enough opportunity to express their opinions on decisions that directly affect their lives In Australia, children’s rights – as outlined in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child...
Karley Beckman, Claire Rogerson and Tiffani Apps look at how kids under 13 use social media. Earlier this week (September 2024), the federal government announced it is going to introduce a social media ban for children. It hasn’t nominated a minimum age yet, but the focus of...
Doctors are warning Australians not to ignore hay fever symptoms as the allergy season arrives this year. Bupa Clinical Director Dr Tony MacDermott said the caution was most important for asthmatics, as most people with asthma were also susceptible to hay fever. Hay fever affects about 1...
Here’s why they do it, writes Michael Nagel As someone who has spent most of his professional life studying how children develop, I’m often asked by parents (especially mums) why children (especially boys) are prone to pick up the nearest stick, pencil, soft toy or even...
Researchers Susan M. Sawyer and Nandi Vijayakumar look at what brain science tells us. The age at which a child can be arrested, charged and jailed in Australia is back in the spotlight. Last year, the Northern Territory became the first jurisdiction to raise the age of...
