It’s a risky move, writes Lisa M. Given, because the eSafety advisory explains AI companions can “share harmful content, distort reality and give advice that is dangerous”. Google has announced it will roll out its Gemini artificial intelligence (AI) chatbot to children under the age of...
Many IVF optional extras – or ‘add-ons’ – are not supported by good-quality evidence that shows they are effective or safe, report Dr Sarah Lensen and Sara Attinger. A new website now helps patients navigate these options For many patients, IVF is a stressful and overwhelming...
What can parents do? Jacquelyn Harverson, Louise Paatsch and Sharon Horwood look at the links between digital technology use and young children’s well-being. Once upon a time, children fought for control of the remote to the sole family television. Now, the choice of screen-based content available to kids...
YouTube hosts a lot of garbage – but the government is right to let kids keep watching it, report Catherine Page Jeffery and Joanne Gray When the Australian government passed legislation in November last year banning young people under 16 from social media, it included exemptions...
Xbox and Minecraft’s Initiative: Sharing “Top 5 Tips for Safe Gaming” to support families in Australia and New Zealand. Safer Internet Day & Online Gaming Safety High Gaming Engagement: Australia: 89% of children (8-17) play online; 40% interact with strangers. New Zealand: 80% of children (8-17)...
A new trial will test 3 options, reports Toby Murray, Associate Professor of Cybersecurity When federal parliament passed legislation last week which will ban under 16s from social media, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese celebrated. Posting on X, he said: “We’re doing everything we can to keep...
How it will work remains a mystery, reports Lisa M. Given The federal parliament has passed legislation to ban people under 16 from having an account with some social media platforms. In doing so, it has ignored advice from a chorus of experts – and from the...
Can Screen Time Really Impact Kids' Mental Clarity and Wellbeing? Researchers from UNSW’s School of Psychology investigate. With digital devices now ever-present in children’s lives, many parents worry about potential mental and emotional consequences of excessive screen time. Is there any truth to ‘brain rot’—the idea...
Research conducted online amongst Australian parents finds two-thirds of parents feel guilty about their kids’ internet use, writes Dr Kimberley O’Brien. A national survey of more than 1,000 adults with children aged up to 18 years found more than two-thirds (70%) of parents report feeling anxious...
Wearables can lead people to stress more about their health, writes Caleb Ferguson Wearable trackers and monitors (such as smartwatches) are increasingly popular and sophisticated. For people living with heart conditions, they can provide important information, including updates about abnormalities in heart rate and rhythm. But a...
