Australia’s new under-16 social media restrictions have sparked widespread discussion and, for many Australian families, a fair amount of confusion. Parents are hearing strong and often conflicting opinions about whether social media is harmful or helpful for teenagers, while young people are responding to sudden changes in how they connect with friends and communities online. From the perspective of a child and adolescent psychologist , this confusion is understandable. When Australian...

How to support your teen while they navigate Australia's new social media age restrictions

What research in child psychology tells us can help Distressing or tragic events can reach children in many ways. Sometimes they are discussed openly within families. Other times, children overhear adult conversations, see headlines on a television left running, or encounter information online without context. Even when events happen far away, they can still feel close and unsettling for a child who is trying to make sense of the world. Many parents find themselves unsure about how much to...