Relax, it’s just a ringlight for kids. Toys like the ‘vlogger set’ prepare them for a digital world
Recent outrage surrounding a young children’s toy “vlogger” set echoes moral panics of the past, particularly when words such as children, play and digital come together. Aldi recently released a new range of wooden toys, including the Vlogger set for children aged 3 and older. This set has sparked discussion on Twitter, including criticism. As […]
Read MoreNew Centre policy to enhance digital futures for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families
A new policy at the ARC Centre of Excellence for the Digital Child will ensure Indigenous research undertaken by the Centre ethically and positively serves Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and families. The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Research Ethics Policy sets expectations, standards, and guidelines for conducting Indigenous research, from the conception of […]
Read MoreDigital Child researcher directs West Australian element of LEGO project examining wellbeing in kids
UNICEF and the LEGO Group, funded by the LEGO Foundation, have formed the Responsible Innovation in Technology for Children (RITEC) project to consider the creation of a digital world that prioritises the wellbeing of children. Associate Professor Karen Murcia of Curtin University is directing the Western Australian element of this project. “Children today are growing […]
Read MoreNewly-opened UOW Children’s Technology Play Space will serve as an inspiration to use technology in smart and innovative ways
When the Australian Research Council (ARC) Centre of Excellence for the Digital Child launched last year, times had never been more precarious for in-person relationships. The COVID-19 pandemic had thrust all of us into the digital space, whether we wanted it or not. Work, school, play and entertainment were all facilitated through technology. From Zoom calls, […]
Read MoreProfessor Susan Danby named a Fellow of the Academy of the Social Sciences in Australia
Professor Susan Danby, Director of the ARC Centre of Excellence for the Digital Child, has been appointed a Fellow of the Academy of the Social Sciences in Australia (ASSA) for her lifetime of work dedicated to children. Professor Danby joins 36 other social science experts in the 2021 round, and over 700 in total, who […]
Read MoreThree-to-four-year-olds to learn about digital safety in Australian trial
Digital Child researchers are leading an Australian-first study to teach young children, including those aged three to four, about digital citizenship. The trial involves pre-schools and kindergartens as well as 15 primary schools from remote, rural, and metropolitan regions across Australia from Prep to Year 6. The project is led by Chief Investigator Professor Michael […]
Read MoreMapping of studies into digital childhoods begins
Investigators at the Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for the Digital Child have commenced a range of literature reviews to map out and capture what is currently known about young children’s digital technology use. This includes review of studies into digital technology use by young children, family and community perspectives on young children’s digital […]
Read MoreInstagram’s privacy updates for kids are positive. But plans for an under-13s app means profits still take precedence
Facebook recently announced significant changes to Instagram for users aged under 16. New accounts will be private by default, and advertisers will be limited in how they can reach young people. The new changes are long overdue and welcome. But Facebook’s commitment to childrens’ safety is still in question as it continues to develop a […]
Read MoreApps that help parents protect kids from cybercrime may be unsafe too
Children, like adults, are spending more time online. At home and school pre-schoolers now use an array of apps and platforms to learn, play and be entertained. While there are reported benefits, including learning through exploration, many parents are still concerned about screen time, cybersafety and internet addiction. An increasingly popular technical solution is parental […]
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