Policymakers and governments should put screen violence in their agenda to tackle this real threat to mental health, re-assess the growing scientific evidence, implement stricter policies, and educate children and adolescents so that they know how to discriminate and process the content of visual media. As many things in life, screen media has wonderful positive aspects, but can also have serious consequences on health if not used and regulated properly.
Wayne Warburton’s Australian Story on screen addiction
Macquarie University Associate Professor and CMA’s Vice President, Dr Wayne Warburton’s groundbreaking program for teens with problem gaming was well documented on ABC TV on 6 March.
Pasi Sahlberg says “more play, less desk time”
The University of Melbourne Professor of Education and leader of the Gonski Institute’s Growing Up Digital study says children would benefit from less formal instruction and more time for play and physical activity during school hours. He said studies had shown no correlation between formal learning time and education outcomes.
ABC and SA Film Corp in new deal
Supported by a South Australian State Government investment of $5.2 million over three years, the ABC SAFC Content Pipeline Fund is designed to strengthen the South Australian screen industry by enabling a consistent pipeline of production to deliver high quality content to ABC TV and ABC iview. The SA made childrens’ series Beep and Mort from Adelaide’s Windmill Pictures will be the first to get underway, with season two.
AFL fans calling for ban, profile players oppose betting ads
The annual AFL Fans Association survey has found 47 per cent of the almost 3000 respondents nominated gambling advertising as the top concern. And a number of high profile AFL players have refused to have their image used by the AFL’s wagering partner, for ethical, reputational or even commercial reasons, says Melbourne‘s The Age.
Independent federal member Zoe Daniel has attacked the AFL’s relationship with gambling advertising, saying the AFL should “read the room” on how betting on sport is being normalised. Daniel said Australia did not want to reach a point where kids knew more about “multis” - a betting option - than the finer points of the game.
eSafety Commissioner gives industry more time for codes
The eSafety Commissioner has given the online industry until the end of the month to resubmit draft industry codes to reduce the availability of seriously harmful online content, such as child sexual abuse and pro-terror material in Australia, which did not go far enough in protecting users of their services in Australia. The new codes, which are being developed by industry and will operate under Australia’s Online Safety Act 2021.
Binge found to breach ad standards
The Ad Standards Community Panel has upheld complaints made against an ad for Foxtel streaming service, Binge, for unnecessary violence. The 30 second ad for “Summer Range” is a montage of various scenes one of which features a woman kicking a man in the testicles. But it rejected complaints about trailers for horror movie M3gan.
Now we have virtual influencers
Virtual influencers are entirely digital beings typically made to look human so followers can experience a similar trust they feel with human influencers. MediaPost says “Consumer interest is already here. An Influencer Marketing Factory survey from 2022 found 58% of respondents followed at least one virtual influencer, and 35% of consumers said they had purchased a product promoted by one...“
A new occupation: sensitivity readers
A sensitivity reader is a type of editor who looks through authors' work for potentially offensive material or stereotypes. They are said to bring extra authenticity to a writer's work, help them with vocabulary, with knowing what the harmful stereotypes are so they don't put those into their books. Some publishers say that while the revisions to published classical literature by sensitivity readers have made headlines (eg Roald Dahl, Enid Blyton), the vast majority of their work is done during the writing process.
Government looking to fill ACMA member vacancies
Australian Communications and Media Authority members #840: The Government is looking to fill up to three full time Authority member roles (statutory appointment) and may use this process to fill any additional full time appointments that may arise over the coming twelve months.
This research looks at associations between problematic social media use and alcohol expectancies in a cohort of 10-14 year old US adolescents.
Putting children's needs first
Fairplay is committed to helping children thrive in an increasingly commercialised, screen-obsessed culture and is dedicated to ending marketing to children. Here it offers suggestion of what adults can do by putting kids’ needs first.
How social media impacts teens’ brains
This YouTube video look at the effects social media platforms can have on kids and how parents can help prevent them from getting hooked.
Introduction to Food Advertising Online
In this lesson plan students are introduced to the idea of online advertising and look at the ways that marketers create immersive and appealing online environments that draw and hold children’s attention.
Ping Pong: The Triumph (PG)is a Chinese film with subtitles about the coveted win of the men’s Ping Pong championships held in Tianjin in 1995. The action scenes of the game-playing are quite spectacular to watch, however, there is some violence and coarse language and it is not suitable for children under 10.
Fisherman’s Friends 2: One and All (PG) is a light drama about a musical group finding its way after losing its lead singer and father of one of the other singers. It deals with topics such as grief and infidelity, and contains quite a bit of coarse language, making it unsuitable for children under 10.
Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania(M) is fast moving, full of strange worlds and creatures, and a lot of stylised violence. It is not suitable for children under 11. The main messages from this movie are to ‘look out for the little guy’; and to work together for the common good.
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