The internet has become integral to the lives of young Aussies. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), young people (15-17 year-olds) have the highest rate of internet use among the population. They use digital technologies for everyday activities, such as schoolwork, connecting with friends and family via social media, and entertainment. And it’s not just Australia. Worldwide, 71% of youths aged 15–24 are internet users, compared to the 48% of the general population. The internet has plenty of opportunities for young people to gain knowledge on various subjects ..read more

Teen looking outside Australia has been through a lot this year. In some cases like South West Sydney, young people have experienced not just Covid but fires, smoke & floods all in 18 months with many students moving homes. Which begs the question, what are the impacts of covid-19 and how has its isolation affected young people in Australia?  According to the Australian Human Rights Commission, which interviewed nearly 3,000 students, they found the following top 5 issues regarding Covid. Mental health concerns resulting from COVID-19 Social isolation Education impacts Impacts on fam ..read more

How often have you heard someone in a TV or movie express surprise that another character didn’t lose their virginity as a teenager? How many times have you seen older male characters hitting on much younger women? And how often have you looked at characters who are supposed to be teenage girls, but who look like they could easily be 25? Sexualization of teenagers in our media has always been a problem, but we’re just now starting to realize the damage it causes. Read on to learn more about the impact of early sexualization and what you can do to fight it. Where Sexualization Occurs Sexualiza ..read more

There are over 4 billion internet users worldwide, and chances are, your kids or students are some of them. In some ways, the internet has made the world a better place. It’s easier than ever to access facts about science, history, and cultures other than our own. Here are 18 Examples of great Digital Citizen Websites and courses for students.  However, not everyone uses the internet safely and ethically. While adults are guilty of things like cyber harassment and the spreading of misinformation, kids and teens are more likely to have difficulty with making good choic ..read more

Did you know almost 30% of parents allow their children to peruse the internet without restriction. It’s one of the reasons why 42% of kids between the ages of 6 and 17 have been exposed to hardcore pornography while cruising the net. We are living in an age of technology, and internet exposure is inevitable. In a 2017 study, almost half of United States children, ages 10 to 12, had their own smartphones, complete with service plans. That’s not necessarily a bad thing. There are many benefits to kids having phones. But it’s essential to take advantage of safety apps that will e ..read more

Are you looking for a youth speaker to motivate and encourage a group of students in Australia? If so, you’ll need to choose carefully. You want someone who will deliver the right message, with the right tone, in the right way. Positive words can impact students for life, motivating them to achieve great heights. However, the opposite also holds. In your search for the best one, you’ll find that not every professional public speaker will be a great fit for your audience. To help you make a decision, we’ve put together a comprehensive guide that covers the qualities to look for in a ..read more

Intro: What is Video Game Addiction? Are there possible Effects?  What are the Risks? Video Game Prevention Further Help and Resources Parents and teachers across the globe have expressed a fear of what is often referred to as a video game addiction. How are video games impacting our kids’ ability to focus and to socialize face-to-face? Where do we turn if our kids need video game addiction help? The World Health Organization recently addressed this growing fear, classifying the addiction as a “gaming disorder.” Studies conducted in 2017 found that while billions of people engage in vide ..read more

 Bullying isn’t a new problem for parents and young people, but the internet has morphed it into something that’s much more difficult to deal with. The bullying that used to take place in schoolyards is now finding its way into private message inboxes and social media groups. There are many Different Types of Bullying but in this article we’ll be going through cyberbullying. Young people are online now more than ever, and it’s been shown that online bullying is just as harmful as traditional bullying. Victims suffer learning difficulties, anxiety, depression and are significantly mo ..read more

The Mission Australia Youth Survey showed us what we already knew – discrimination between Australian youth is real. Almost a third of young people experienced discrimination based on their race according to that survey. The numbers are alarming when it comes to how many teenagers are not treated fairly. Keep reading below to learn more about what discrimination is, examples of those who overcame it and how to deal with discrimination. What Is Considered Discrimination? Before we dive into ways to fight discrimination it is important to take a step back and learn more ..read more

Today is the International Day of Happiness, a campaign that was first initiated by the United Nations to be a global day of celebration. To get into the spirit of the day, let’s take a look at some fun facts around Happiness. Before we get started though, have you ever met someone who truly doesn’t want to be happy? I didn’t think so. Even those that are suffering from disorders such as depression are experiencing a lack of happiness that they would love to regain. It is an innate desire within everyone to experience true happiness. I used to always think that people are either the type to b ..read more