Is the school phone ban based on moral panic?

Governments are making moves to ban mobile phones in schools. On what basis is this ban based?

ArticlesJoanne Orlando11 September 2019teens, schools

YouTube’s Weirdest Merch is a $350 Lifelike Doll of a Two-Week Old Baby

How we talk to children about technology needs to keep up with the weird changes that constantly emerge.

ArticlesJoanne Orlando29 July 2019Social media, Social media well-being, Digital mental health, Online safety

What’s not to like? Instagram’s trial to hide the number of ‘likes’ could save users’ self-esteem

The Conversation: How is the removal of Instagram 'Likes' panning out? I think the idea is good in theory but I wonder if all is as it seems... My thoughts 24 hours into the test.

ArticlesJoanne Orlando19 July 2019Social media, Social media well-being, Digital wellbeing, Online well-being, Digital addiction, Digital mental health, teens

Instagram giving trolls time to ‘rethink’ actions. Wishlist for other online ‘rethinks’ needed.

Sydney Morning Herald: Instagram have introduced a ‘Rethink’ feature to stop the posting of nasty messages. If you could rethink other aspect of your online activity, what would it be?

ArticlesJoanne Orlando19 July 2019Social media, Social media well-being, Online safety, teens, Digital literacy, Digital wellbeing, Family digital lifestyle

World Health Organisation establishes screen time guidelines for young kids

As young children increasingly use technology, new recommendations have been released to guide their use.

ArticlesJoanne Orlando14 July 2019Children's psychological wellbeing, early childhood, Digital wellbeing, Family digital lifestyle, Online safety

How to know if your child is addicted to video games and what to do about it

The Conversation: If your child spends long hours playing video games, you might be worried they’re addicted. Here are signs to look for.

ArticlesJoanne Orlando9 July 2019Children's psychological wellbeing, teens, Digital mental health, Family digital lifestyle, Cyber safety, Videogames

Are smartphones the key to improving school results?

There continues to be a call to ban mobile phones in schools. There is another side to this issue that needs to be considered.

ArticlesJoanne Orlando27 June 2019teens, Technology for school learning, Cyber safety, Children's psychological wellbeing

James Charles spat: Adult wisdom needed to help to navigate 'cancel culture'

Cancel culture...ever heard of it? It's a large-scale fan exodus taking the social media world by storm. What's more is that it's a movement led by our kids. Here’s why you should know about it.

Joanne Orlando5 June 2019Social media, Social media well-being, teens, Digital wellbeing, Digital literacy, Children's digital behaviour, Online well-being

Fortnite addiction is harming a new wave of Australian kids, sparking aggression, absenteeism

Sunday Telegraph: If your child plays the video game Fortnite, here is a special report into Aussie kids who are obsessed with this game and how parents can manage it.

ArticlesJoanne Orlando26 May 2019teens, Digital mental health, children 5-12 years, Children's digital behaviour, Cyber safety, Videogames