School bullying is the subject of an Australia-wide review which aims to stamp out the pervasive behaviour and better safeguard students. Schools are navigating a minefield of interactions that are playing out online, outside school hours and on platforms that are beyond their reach. “Teachers are under so much pressure to solve the fact that Read more
The Australian government is developing legislation that will ban children under 16 from social media. There has been a huge public debate about whether there is sufficient direct evidence of harm to introduce this regulation. The players in this debate include academics, mental health organisations, advocacy groups and digital education providers. Few step back to Read more
An alluring young woman sporting a 1950s-style polka-dot halter dress leans toward the camera across the kitchen counter, the epitome of retro chic. In a soothing, gentle voice, she informs us that a relative is in town and has been craving bubble gum. Rather than doing what nine out of 10 people would do, which Read more
Want to find that one issue upon which at least some Democrats and Republicans can agree? Here it is: the danger that social media poses to our young people. Surgeon General’s warning In the words of United States Surgeon General Vivek H. Murthy (pictured): “The mental health crisis among young people is an emergency — Read more
The paediatrician whose research project found false information about transgender children’s treatment puts them “at risk” is now at risk herself. Dr Hilary Cass says she’s been told not to travel on public transport because of fears for her safety. Detractors – including an MP – have been spreading “vile disinformation” around her report for Read more
In a bid to address the alarming rates of suicide among Native American youth, two tribal nations have taken legal action against major social media companies. The lawsuit, filed in Los Angeles county court, targets Meta Platforms (the parent company of Facebook and Instagram), Snap Inc. (owner of Snapchat), ByteDance (parent company of TikTok), and Read more
“Spiritual restlessness” is driving adults to join the Catholic Church – according to new research findings. The Diocese of East Anglia’s New Evangelisation Commission study “Why Adults Become Catholics” found the spiritual restlessness focus was tightly targeted. Study participants report a specifically spiritual restlessness, rather than a sense of “general unease with their lives”. The Read more