Australia’s Ad Standards panel investigated over 250 ads this year, with 50 of them found to be in breach of the rules. Ads on free-to-air TV scored the highest number of complaints again this year, followed by Instagram and TV on-demand services.
The most complained ad, PointsBet, was on free-to-air. Despite the high level of complaint, the panel found it did not contravene the AANA’s Codes. In fact, complaints against four of the top 5 ads were dismissed, with only one upheld. This in contrast to the claims that the AANA’s Codes “exist to make sure ads on all media are responsible and align with community standards”.
The fifth most complained about ad (also dismissed) was a free-to-air trailer for the movie Black Phone. Complainants’ comments included “ this was an inappropriate time to be advertising such horror and scary frightening movie advertisements at an early hour of the night before football starts and the young kids are up watching waiting for their sports to start”.
Complaints about scary trailers persist in the absence of an adequate provision in the AANA Code, and while the Ad Standards panel can rely on the argument that “the advertisement did portray violence that was justifiable in the context of the product [for a horror MA15+ movie] being advertised and did not breach Section 2.3 of the Code”.
Are the long awaited privacy law reforms coming soon?
Lexology says “Australian Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus confirmed in a tweet posted on 20 December 2022 that the Privacy Act Review commissioned under the Coalition government has been completed and a final report received by his department”.
This is indeed good news if these reforms provide the much needed effective protections for children’s privacy online. CMA has researched this issue extensively. We’ve reviewed existing laws; investigated the level of covert tracking in children’s apps and collection of children’s personal data; and provided an extensive range of resources for parents to protect children. Governments must step up to the plate.
Have your say about ‘Big Tech’ and children by 28 February
The Senate Economics References Committee is “investigating the nature and extent of international digital platforms operated by large overseas-based multinational technology companies - so called ‘Big Tech’ - exerting power and influence over markets and public debate, to the detriment of Australian democracy and users”.
Item d) in the Terms of reference will explore “the collection and processing of children’s data, particularly for the purposes of profiling, behavioural advertising, or other uses”. There’s plenty to say here.
5Rights releases online safety toolkit for policy makers
The UK based leading advocate for children’s safety online, 5 Rights, has produced a toolkit for those seeking to make their children’s online environment safer.
5Rights sets out to “ provide a practical and accessible roadmap to create a digital world where all children and young people are safe and fulfilled. It contains step-by-step instructions to help assess and inform policy development, at all stages of the process in any political jurisdiction”.
International concerns on sports betting ads
English mother grieves the impact of betting ads on her son and warns Canada about the impacts.
In the meantime we still wait for action in Australia on the high levels of sports betting ads, and the impact of loot boxes in children’s apps.
IGEA releases report on videogames industry in Australia
The Interactive Games and Entertainment Association (IGEA) released the results of the sixth annual Australian Game Development Survey, and things are looking good for the industry. IGEA’s report says that over 770 new jobs were created in the games industry in the last year alone, despite restrictions on migration limiting the talent pool.
IGEA CEO Ron Curry thinks that there’s a lot of room for improvement from the government, particularly when it comes to the classification of video games..
And here’s GamesHub’s list of “best games for 2022”
GamesHub is an Australian-based video game news, reviews, and features site dedicated to creating approachable games coverage for everyone. GamesHub’s Game of the Yearpicks are selected collectively by tenured staff.
Impact of connectedness with nature and children's well-being
The impacts of nature connectedness on children's well-being: systematic literature review byTerhi Arola, Marianne Aulake, Anna Ott, Matti Lindholm, Petra Kouvonen, Petri Virtanen, Riikka Paloniemi in Journal of Environmental Psychology vol 85 Feb 2023. The analysis covered qualitative and quantitative studies, which all showed the positive effects of nature connectedness on well-being.
Here's the most quoted articles related to children and screens in JAMA Pediatrics
Although much in this article is not new, some may surprise you. Actions you can take to mitigate risks are provided. The two best ways to defend your child against the harms of pornography are
1. Develop a strong and loving bond with your child and
2. Talk with your child about the harms of pornography.
Blueback(PG) is an adventure movie based on the popular book by Tim Winton. The cinematography and underwater cinematography are stunning along the Western Australian Coast. The movie’s message is about protecting our environment and coastal reefs and while there is little in the movie that is scary, it is not recommended for younger children.
Puss in Boots: the Last Wish(PG) is an animated, comedy, adventure movie – the latest in the DreamWorks’ Shrek spinoff. The main messages are to appreciate what’s in front of you; and not to take others for granted. It is full of violence, mostly done for laughs, and is also quite scary in places. For these reasons it isn’t suitable for young children.
The Breadwinner(M) is an animated drama depicting the plight of an Afghan family. It is fully of heavy, confronting content that is not suitable for younger viewers. For older children and teens it provides an in-depth look at what life is really like for women in Afghanistan. The main message is that despite the fact that women and girls, in Taliban era Afghanistan, are given no voice and no rights, they are just as capable and resourceful (if not more so) as their male counterparts.
Helping CMA
Please consider supporting CMA by buying a ticket (or more) in the People’s Choice community lottery before 2 March. There’re great prizes to be won, and CMA receives 100% of what you spend. Here’s where to buy tickets.
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