Facebook unfriended us, but we are back

Facebook's decision last week to shutdown the sharing of news stories across its network in Australia had some ramifications at ACCM.

On Thursday, our Facebook page was deactivated, as part of a widespread ban on news sites which also hit not-for-profits, charities and government departments such as SA Health.

But the move to remove pages of organisations that do not publish news was reversed, with ACCM's Facebook page reinstated on Monday morning.

Australian kids programs win top awards 

Australian children’s series First Day (Epic Films), The Unlisted (Aquarius Films), Play School (ABC) and Bluey (Ludo Studio) have received top gongs at the 2021 Kidscreen Awards.

UK children's commissioner says children will look back in anger:

England's children's commissioner, Anne Longfield, has told The Telegraph children will be angry looking back at the 'wild and dangerous' online world they were exposed to.

Longfield has long pushed for statutory duty of care on tech giants to better protect children.

US children's group alleges maths game used in schools 'manipulates kids':

The Campaign for Commercial-Free Childhood and 21 advocacy partners filed a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission about the game Prodigy.

They allege the game, used by millions of students, parents and teachers across the world, distracts more than teaches, puts selling memberships to kids above maths skills and promotes excessive screen time.

“Schools are signing up for this thinking it is free and not understanding that there’s enormous commercial pressure put on children and families when they play at home,” said Josh Golin, the campaign's executive director.

Complaint lodged against TikTok for alleged multiple EU consumer law breaches:

The European Consumer Organisation BEUC has filed a complaint with the European Commission and the network of consumer protection authorities against TikTok.

They allege TikTok falls foul of multiple breaches of EU consumer rights and fails to protect children from hidden advertising and inappropriate content.

EU's top privacy regulator urges ban on surveillance-based ad targeting:

The European Union's lead data protection supervisor has recommended that a ban on targeted advertising based on tracking internet users' digital activity be included in a major reform of digital services rules which aims to increase operators' accountability, among other key goals.

Survey says parents believe social media companies should be responsible for children's safety online:

Findings from a new survey with UK parents of children aged 13 to 17 showed the majority of parents (83 per cent) expect social media companies to be responsible for ensuring children's safety online.

Polls shows parents prioritise 'wisdom' as a key virtue for children online:

A recent poll, undertaken by Yonder for the Jubilee Centre (UK), has found the ability to make wise decisions is the quality parents in the UK most want their children to show online.

Teens need good sleep to thrive, UniSA researchers say:

UniSA researchers say teens spend a lot of time on devices, "using technology late into the night is one of the most common disruptors of good sleep. Overuse of technology can also contribute to mental health issues like increased anxiety".

Shocking numbers of children with mental health issues in the pandemic:

A mental health emergency among Australian children is being inadequately addressed, leaving many with the likelihood of long-term harm to their education and employment, chief executive of the Australian Psychological Society Dr Zena Burgess says.

Rewriting the book on boys and reading:

New Australian research suggests the widely held view that primary school boys are reluctant readers may be wrong - and possibly doing more harm than good.

Film soundtracks shape our impressions of a character's personality and thoughts:

A new paper, in Frontiers in Psychology, Alessandro Ansani at Roma The University, Italy, and colleagues report how background music influences the tone of a scene and the understanding of a character.

Does Kangaroo Beach have what it takes to be another Bluey?:

Jenny Buckland, the chief executive of the Australian Children's Television Foundation, said Kangaroo Beach showed why Australia needed locally-made children's programs.

Snapchat lenses and body image concerns:

The two-part study with college students explores associations between general use of Snapchat lenses and body image concerns, and found that taking selfies with Snapchat lenses influences appearance satisfaction.

Depictions of alcohol in Australian TV show 'Bachelor in Paradise': a content analysis:

A study has found alcohol is 'highly prevalent' in all episodes of the reality series, with 70 per ent of intervals having alcohol content.

ALIA Schools 2021 webinar package:

ALIA Schools is running webinars as part of its 2021 professional learning program. Includes sessions on Information Literacy and Digital Literacy.

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New book: Real Characters: The psychology of paraosocial relationships with media characters: 

The book explores the unique relationship between viewers and fictional characters in TV, film and social media. Edited by Dr. Karen Shackleford, the book showcases the research of leading scholars and practitioners who understand what fictional characters mean to us from a psychological perspective.

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How to protect children online without using tough rules and reprimands:

The University of Birmingham's Tom Harrison shows  how parents can guide their children to wise internet behaviour.

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How to teach kids that ads are manipulating them:

Children need to understand the influence of advertisements and other media to be empowered to make smart decisions.

Minari (in cinemas): A Korean family starts a farm in 1980s Arkansas. Suitable 14+, parental guidance 12 to 13 (scary scenes).


Boonie Bears: The Wild Life (in cinemas): Bear brothers Briar, Bramble and their human friend Vick embark on an adventure to the Wild Land, where humans are being transformed into animals with gene-altering bracelets. Suitable 13+, parental guidance to 8 to 12. (violence, scary scenes, themes)
 

Last laugh: The Chief does his best to apologise without offending anyone. And fails. Massively.