Latest News on Children and the Media
Australian food industry failing to self-regulate junk food ads to children February 20, 2017
A new study by Cancer Council NSW and the University of Sydney has found no reduction in unhealthy food and drink advertisements on television during children’s peak viewing times, despite voluntary self-regulatory initiatives introduced by the food industry in 2009.The study has found that children are being exposed to read more »
It’s time to change to age-based classification! February 16, 2017
ACCM has for some time been arguing for an age-based classification system based on child development. Find out more about this and how you can take action. read more »
Changes to Office of the Children’s eSafety Commissioner February 13, 2017
The Turnbull Government has introduced new legislation which it claims will enhance online safety for all Australians.The Enhancing Online Safety for Children Amendment Bill will rename the Office of the Children’s eSafety Commissioner to the Office of the eSafety Commissioner, to broaden the general functions of the office to cover read more »
Today is Safer Internet Day 2017 February 7, 2017
February 7 is Safer Internet Day for 2017. The Office of the eSafety Commissioner has a number of special resources to help celebrate the day and take action to keep children safer online. read more »
IARC classification tool approved for use in Australia January 16, 2017
The Minister for Communications has approved the International Age Rating Coalition (IARC) tool for ongoing use in Australia following the successful completion of a 12 month pilot. The pilot was conducted by the Department of Communications and the Arts in partnership with the Classification Board, games industry, community groups and State read more »
New Australian study - TV, video games and the mental health of young boys January 9, 2017
A new study of 8 to 9 year olds by the Murdoch Childrens Research Institute shows a link between television watching and playing video games and the mental health and behaviour of boys. The study, published in the Academic Paediatrics journal, found boys playing video games for two hours a read more »
Pilot of tool for classifying Netflix content December 8, 2016
The Australian Government has announced the trial of a new classification tool that it claims will streamline the process of classifying Netflix content and make it easier for programmes to become available to Australian audiences.The Government has been working with Netflix over the past year to create the read more »
ACCM President co-authors WHO report November 28, 2016
ACCM President Professor Elizabeth Handsley was one of the co-authors of the recently released World Health Organisation report, Tackling food marketing to children in a digital world: trans-disciplinary perspectives. Children’s rights, evidence of impact, methodological challenges, regulatory options and policy implications for the WHO European Region. This publication read more »
New Children's eSafety Commissioner announced November 24, 2016
The Australian Government today announced the appointment of Julie Inman Grant as the new Children's eSafety Commissioner. In a joint press release, Senator The Hon Mitch Fifield, Minister For Communications and Senator The Hon Michaelia Cash, Minister For Women said that the new Commissioner would have expanded responsibilities to take read more »
How should I talk to children about the result of the US election? November 10, 2016
Parents and teachers in Australia may be struggling with what to say to children after the US presidential election. This advice for US parents from US organisation, Common Sense Media might be helpful: What should we tell our kids? Be tomorrow's leaders, today read more »
ACCM wins Children's Week Award October 25, 2016
ACCM has received an award from the Children's Week Association of South Australia for "outstanding and consistent contributions to the needs, interests and welfare of children." The award was presented at an award ceremony at the City of Campbelltown Function Centre on 24 October. Children’s Week is a national celebration of read more »
Is TV's addiction to sports betting ads grooming kids to gamble? October 13, 2016
ABC TV's Media Watch program on 10 October discussed the boom in betting ads during television sports programs such as the finals of NRL and AFL. Presenter Paul Barry pointed out that this put betting in front of children and compared this to the way that cigarette ads attracted children read more »
Australian study finds children increasingly in front of screens as they get older September 20, 2016
Longitudinal Study of Australian Children (LSAC), run by Australian Institute of Family Studies shows that children are spending more time on front of their devices as they get older, with those aged 12 to 13 staring at screens for at least three hours a day. The study has tracked 4,000 children read more »
NSW Legislative Council commends ACCM for Violence in the Media conference September 12, 2016
On 10 August, the Hon Greg Donnelly moved the motion “Violence and the Media Conference” in the Parliament of NSW Legislative Council. The motion which was passed by the Council, read in part: That this House acknowledges and congratulates the Australian Council on Children and the Media and the Children read more »
ACCM's app review service Know before You Load receives an award September 6, 2016
The National Association for the Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect (NAPCAN) gives Play Your Part Awards for "Inspiring prevention initiatives". ACCM's Know Before You Load (KBYL) app review service will be presented with an award on Wednesday 7 September. KBYL includes the Children and Gambling Watch List, read more »
