News + Research
How do social media rules for under 16s differ around the world?
Australia's Communications Minister Anika Wells says she is not intimidated by technology companies, adding: "We stand firm on the side of parents and not on the platforms."
She said lots of other countries around the world have already contacted her government for advice about how they could bring in similar rules to Australia.
Children should be at least 16 to access social media, say MEPs
To help parents manage their children's digital presence and encourage age-appropriate online engagement, the European Parliament proposes a harmonised EU digital minimum age of 16 for access to social media, video-sharing platforms and AI companions, while allowing 13- to 16-year-olds access with parental consent.
A global drive to curb social media for kids begins in Australia
Policymakers in other nations are watching Australia’s social media age ban closely and planning moves of their own
From Stress to Screen: Family Factors on the Path to Problematic Media Use in Children Aged 4–11
Today, the rapid development of digital technologies fundamentally transforms how children interact with media. This research examines the mediating roles of parenting stress and problematic media use in children on the relationship between digital parenting awareness and family harmony.
Opinion: Screens are changing young brains. Canada needs a plan
“Brain imaging studies reveal that screen time can affect how young brains grow and function,” write Emma Duerden, Franco Vaccarino, and Alison Palmer. “Right now, we’re letting children’s brains be the testing ground for unregulated innovation.”
‘The harm is staggering’: Jonathan Haidt on how smartphones and social media are fuelling the youth mental health crisis
American social psychologist, author, and professor Jonathan Haidt believes that smartphones and social media are to blame for much of the youth mental health ...
Wired for worry: How smartphones and social media are harming Canadian youth
Wired for worry: How smartphones and social media are harming Canadian youth. The introduction of smartphones, and with it, ubiquitous social ...
Exploring the Impact of Social Media on Children’s Mental Health
The role social media plays in the everyday lives of children is significant as it negatively impacts their mental health by creating unhealthy levels of addiction, causing a disconnect from social relationships and reality, and increasing levels of social comparison.
Recreational screen time and mental health among Canadian children and youth
Higher amounts of recreational screen time have been associated with mental ill-health among children and youth.
Social media harms teens’ mental health, mounting evidence shows. What now?
Understanding what is going on in teens’ minds is necessary for targeted policy suggestions
Online digital media use and adolescent mental health
Online digital media are a central part of adolescents’ lives, providing opportunities for social connection. However, some research has suggested that online digital media use may be negatively associated with mental health.
Social media and youth: A call to action
In a mediascape increasingly dominated by tech giants, it is no longer effective or appropriate to put the onus on individuals. It is urgent for social media developers to safeguard the well-being of youth, and for governments to hold these companies to basic standards of safety – just like with any other publicly available product or service.
Mental health and problematic social media use in Canadian adolescents
The use of social media use is a central focus in the lives of many adolescents. As such, there is a need to better understand the link between mental health and social media use.
Parental controls on children’s tech devices are out of touch with child’s play
While overwhelm is a real thing, we suggest a bigger problem with parental controls is how they are designed. This includes how little attention is given to supporting open communication between parents and children.
News We Should Know About?
We want to amplify the voices and stories that matter.
We know our list is not comprehensive.
If you know of research or a story we should feature, please let us know.