A social enterprise providing education and information to protect and enhance the mental health of young people
We know many children and teens are turning to AI chatbots to answer tricky questions, seek help and even find companionship. An eSafety survey of 1,950 Australian children aged 10 to 17 found 78% had used an AI chatbot and, of those, 54% used them for personal or social reasons. But is this safe? And [...]
In Part 2 of this episode, Dr Brad Marshall and Dr Mick Tong discuss how AI and screen use may affect young people’s social and cognitive development:Explore how AI may affect young people’s social and critical-thinking skillsConsider the tensions between school and family expectations around screen useReflect on how educational technology fits into learningRecognise [...]
In this episode, GP Dr Mick Tong explores young people's screen use and its place in education: Weigh technology’s benefits against its impact on learning Consider the role of hands-on experiences in development Hear a GP’s perspective on screen-related concerns Explore screen use, sleep, behaviour and physical symptoms Consider why some schools are [...]
In Part 2 of this episode, Dr Brad Marshall and Meg Tidyman reflect on the changing role of play and technology: Notice where children may need support with social communication Learn how to make space for flexible, unstructured play Understand ways to encourage turn-taking, negotiation and conversation repair Use children’s interests to invite [...]
Join host Dr Brad Marshall as he speaks with Speech Pathologist Meg Tidyman about how screens affect young children’s social connection and the importance of real-world interaction. Explore how screens affect opportunities for communication Consider gaps between concept knowledge and everyday language use Understand how play supports communication and connection Learn how [...]
Four ways to help your teen (and yourself) spend more time away from devices Danielle Einstein, Macquarie University Phones and devices have become inextricably linked with everyday life. They store our credit cards, provide critical bus updates, and allow us to communicate whenever we need to. But when our device use starts to affect our [...]
Michael Freeman, Bond University Social media is full of claims that everyday habits can harm your skin. It’s also full of recommendations or advertisements for products that can protect you. Now social media has blue light from our devices in its sights. So can scrolling on our phones really damage your skin? And will applying [...]
Taylor Hardwick, University of Sydney and Marcus Carter, University of Sydney Roblox is one of the world’s most popular online platforms for children, offering a variety of “experiences” including games and virtual spaces. Most of the experiences are free, but offer upgrades, bonuses and random items in exchange for cash. What do kids make of [...]
Juliana Zabatiero, Curtin University; Kate Highfield, University of Canberra; Leon Straker, Curtin University, and Susan Edwards, Australian Catholic University Many Australian parents worry about how much time their children spend watching screens. While some time on devices is fine for entertainment and education, we also know it is important children do things away from TVs [...]
Michoel Moshel, Macquarie University; Jennifer Batchelor, Macquarie University; Joanne Bennett, Australian Catholic University, and Wayne Warburton, Macquarie University Screens have become seamlessly integrated into our daily lives, serving as indispensable tools for work, education and leisure. But while they enrich our lives in countless ways, we often fail to consider the potential impact of screen [...]
