The Federal Government has earmarked $6.5 million from the 2024-25 budget to explore the efficacy of age assurance technologies in curbing children’s exposure to age-inappropriate content on social media platforms. The initiative aims to assess whether these technologies can positively impact the mental well-being of children, amidst growing concerns regarding their online safety. With an increasing number of Australian parents advocating for a complete ban on social media usage for children under the age of 16, the Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, has echoed these sentiments. However, opinions within state governments remain varied, highlighting the complexity of the issue. NSW Premier,…
Author: Monique Sellars
In recent years, the Football Federation Australia (FFA) has encountered a concerning trend: a steady decrease in the number of female referees officiating soccer matches across the country. According to the latest statistics released by the FFA, women now make up a mere 12 per cent of all referees in the sport, highlighting a significant gender disparity within the officiating ranks. This decline is not unique to soccer alone; cricket and Australian Rules Football (AFL) are also witnessing similar challenges in retaining and recruiting female referees. The underrepresentation of women in these roles raises questions about gender equality and inclusivity…
There have been calls from environmentalists, residents and politicians to pull shark nets from the water permanently, with data from the Humane Society International (HSI) finding that they are doing greater harm than good. The Humane Society International (HSI) has released data from the NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) confirming that 90 per cent of marine life caught in shark nets since last September has been non-target species. From September 1 to April 11, 134 non-target animals were found to have died as a result of shark nets – 26 of these were found in the Illawarra. It…
International musicians have adopted a new marketing strategy that has led to sold-out shows across Australia, whereas the organisers of Australian music festivals struggle to sell tickets. Iconic Australian music festivals, including Splendour in the Grass and Groovin the Moo, have been cancelled due to poor ticket sales. RadioU UOW · Changing landscapes of the Australian music industry. Wollongong-based events coordinator and booking agent Charlie Orton said the cost of living crisis and evolving popularity within music genres could explain why Australia’s live music scene is facing life-threatening challenges. Mr Orton also said the first 10 minutes of ticket sales…
The New South Wales government has expressed concerns about the stagnant results in skin cancer trends amongst Australians, despite new prevention strategies. Data released on the NSW’s health page has heightened concerns surrounding the static numbers of deaths caused by skin cancer. This data comes as no surprise to UOW student Paige Binstead, 22, who recently had a melanoma cut out of her foot. “It’s a really scary fact that this is a really common issue here in Australia and I feel like most Australians even expect to just get skin cancer at some point in their life,” Ms Binstead…