Outside the Screen Podcast

Ep 63: Gambling, an invisible fox, and gossiping over ice cream

Hello there, listeners, it’s been a while! Funny how some time away can make you lose your mojo, so it takes a while to get back into the podcast production groove. Add to that a lousy cold (punishment for excellent overseas travel*) and a raised paver + hands in pockets equalling bruised ribs … definitely not a good idea to be podcasting while feeling sorry for self. Well there are my excuses, and here is my apology, to anybody who missed the pod over the last few months. It’s great to be back, and I hope this one is worth the wait. The paper is about gambling - specifically the connection between novel forms (like lootboxes) and the onset of problem gambling. It also looks at different kind of psychological conditions and how they might make some people vulnerable to developing a bad relationship with gambling. Nothing terribly surprising, as we so often find, but knowing the facts can confirm what we know about how to protect our children from risks: choose content carefully, give lots of emotional support, keep an eye on things, and keep the lines of communication open. Outside the Screen Podcast is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support Children and Media Australia, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Glenn gives us a review of Arctic Justice, an animated adventure where the baddy is a climate vandal Walrus. Recommended for 7 and up, and don’t forget, any time you want you can use the CMA website to find a review of any G or PG movie released in cinemas in the last 23 years, plus quite a few M ones. You can also search by age to find something just right for your child. Then I analyse a recent complaint report on an Australian ad for what they call an ‘occasional food’. What starts out as a complaint about bullying ends up as a finding about something quite different. You’ll hear my musings on the nature of the ad self-regulation system generally, as well as the particulars of the complaint, the advertiser’s response and the community panel’s findings. (By the way, as always, I don’t mention the name of the advertiser - see if you can guess! You can check by clicking on the link to the report, below.) Well it’s nice to know I haven’t completely forgotten to do this! Let me know what you think, about the episode or anything else, here: Show notes Canadian/US paper: Jeremie Richard and Serena King, ‘Annual Research Review: Emergence of problem gambling from childhood to emerging adulthood: a systematic review ‘ (2023) 64(4) Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry 645-88 doi:10.1111/jcpp.13713 Arctic Justice review: https://childrenandmedia.org.au/movie-reviews/movies/arctic-justice [https://childrenandmedia.org.au/movie-reviews/movies/arctic-justice] Arctic Justice availability in Australia: https://www.flicks.com.au/movie/arctic-justice/ [https://www.flicks.com.au/movie/arctic-justice/] Zooming Out details: Complaint report https://adstandards.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/0321-24.pdf [https://adstandards.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/0321-24.pdf]; AANA Codes https://aana.com.au/self-regulation/ [https://aana.com.au/self-regulation/] Find us on: Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/outsidethescreenpod/] Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/outsidethescreenpod/] LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizabeth-handsley-8ba3322a5/] Substack [https://outsidethescreen.substack.com/podcast] Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/outside-the-screen-podcast/id1714544513] Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/6PaDzgZLb7rxY5DlhcZyHY] OR search your favourite listening platform (let me know if it’s not there! – outsidethescreenpod[at]gmail.com) Children and Media Australia (CMA) You can find the Know Before You Go movie review service via this link [https://childrenandmedia.org.au/app-reviews/]. Then, depending what you’re looking for, you can sort the list or search by title alphabetically, by age suitability, by classification or by date added. All of the reviews are prepared by people with training in child development, and they cover every G and PG title released in Australian cinemas since 2002, as well as selected M-rated movies and some pre-2002 ones that are available on streaming services. Or at this link [https://childrenandmedia.org.au/app-reviews/], you can access Know Before You Load – reviews of game style apps and apps that may appeal to young children. These cover some extra things that are relevant to games, like data collection and gambling-like content. You might also like to sign up for our KBYG Weekly newsletter [https://7b0c1c9e.sibforms.com/serve/MUIFAJq4UIDUyR7hFR1Vhz-qJweU4snCGtYv0PmaYRGmb7enTu8wQZdaCTzulBwnDedlaNz5K-S-CO-9KfNnDF0xNA1cLXV4wDCJS4DPajSBtIEk1lW9kE-uiOqoNcdgj39YF1VYiOeIEtuj_VEkcI66MbFCH0K9SUCm1jzpzicKGCzNat2F3ICmHwUsh785KMnEDBvSWZkpKKwa] about the latest reviews, and join the CMA facebook community [http://www.facebook.com/australiancouncilonchildrenandthemedia]. *Picture is of me at a wedding in Brittany. I know, I know. Get full access to Outside the Screen Podcast at outsidethescreen.substack.com/subscribe [https://outsidethescreen.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4]

Ep 62: A bit of causation, a Big Fat Liar, and the return of Kim

Yes, I do still know how to make a podcast - what a relief. I was starting to wonder for a minute there. It’s a great pleasure to bring you this episode, and stop beating myself up for losing the rhythm. Paper Round is on an Australian article about socio-emotional development and screen use. Are children who spend a lot of time on screens more likely than others to act out, or to become withdrawn and disengaged? There are some very helpful findings here on causation - something to really savour! In the movie review segment, Glenn talks us through a film featuring one of my favourite actors, Paul Giamatti (whom you might have seen in The Holdovers, Billions, or John Adams). Or maybe you’re a fan of Frankie Muniz or Amanda Bynes … I don’t usually talk about the cast of the movies we review but this one is rather a cut above! More importantly, of course, 2002’s Big Fat Liar could be a lot of fun and spark some interesting conversations with your over-6 children. And then in Zooming Out, well, Dr Kim zooms back to the studio to talk about age-inappropriate games and the role he plays in supporting parents to hold the line against them. Tune in again soon for an episode covering gambling, food ads and social media, but meanwhile: hope you enjoy this one! Show notes Vasconcellos et al paper: Roberta Pires Vasconcellos, Taren Sanders, Chris Lonsdale, Philip Parker, James Conigrave, Samantha Tang, Borja del Pozo Cruz, Stuart J. H. Biddle, Rachael Taylor, Christine Innes-Hughes, Katariina Salmela-Aro, Diego Vasconcellos, Katrina Wilhite, Ella Tremaine, Bridget Booker and Michael Noetel, ‘Electronic Screen Use and Children’s Socioemotional Problems: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Longitudinal Studies’ (2025) 151 (5) Psychological Bulletin 513–43 https://doi.org/10.1037/bul0000468 [https://doi.org/10.1037/bul0000468] Big Fat Liar review: https://childrenandmedia.org.au/movie-reviews/movies/big-fat-liar [https://childrenandmedia.org.au/movie-reviews/movies/big-fat-liar] Big Fat Liar availability in Australia: https://www.flicks.com.au/movie/big-fat-liar/ [https://www.flicks.com.au/movie/big-fat-liar/] Zooming Out details: Kim’s clinic website https://www.cgiclinic.com/ [https://www.cgiclinic.com/]; Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/cgiclini/ [https://www.facebook.com/cgiclini/]; Outcome of class action against Epic Games regarding in-game purchases: https://www.ftc.gov/enforcement/refunds/fortnite-refunds [https://www.ftc.gov/enforcement/refunds/fortnite-refunds]; and here’s an update on the reports about the ESRB and facial recognition: https://www.ign.com/articles/esrb-facial-age-recognition-tech-response [https://www.ign.com/articles/esrb-facial-age-recognition-tech-response] Find us on: Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/outsidethescreenpod/] Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/outsidethescreenpod/] LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizabeth-handsley-8ba3322a5/] Substack [https://outsidethescreen.substack.com/podcast] Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/outside-the-screen-podcast/id1714544513] Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/6PaDzgZLb7rxY5DlhcZyHY] OR search your favourite listening platform (let me know if it’s not there! – outsidethescreenpod[at]gmail.com) Children and Media Australia (CMA) You can find the Children and Media Australia Know Before You Go service via this link [https://childrenandmedia.org.au/app-reviews/]. Then, depending what you’re looking for, you can sort the list or search by title alphabetically, by age suitability, by classification or by date added. All of the reviews are prepared by people with training in child development, and they cover every G and PG title released in Australian cinemas since 2002, as well as selected M-rated movies and some pre-2002 ones that are available on streaming services. Or at this link [https://childrenandmedia.org.au/app-reviews/], you can access Know Before You Load – reviews of game style apps and apps that may appeal to young children. These cover some extra things that are relevant to games, like data collection and gambling-like content. You might also like to sign up for our KBYG Weekly newsletter [https://7b0c1c9e.sibforms.com/serve/MUIFAJq4UIDUyR7hFR1Vhz-qJweU4snCGtYv0PmaYRGmb7enTu8wQZdaCTzulBwnDedlaNz5K-S-CO-9KfNnDF0xNA1cLXV4wDCJS4DPajSBtIEk1lW9kE-uiOqoNcdgj39YF1VYiOeIEtuj_VEkcI66MbFCH0K9SUCm1jzpzicKGCzNat2F3ICmHwUsh785KMnEDBvSWZkpKKwa] about the latest reviews, and join the CMA facebook community [http://www.facebook.com/australiancouncilonchildrenandthemedia]. Get full access to Outside the Screen Podcast at outsidethescreen.substack.com/subscribe [https://outsidethescreen.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4]

At last, the news you've been waiting for!

I’ve been promising for a while to let you know what’s going on - and here is the news! As always I’d be delighted to hear from you, to be recommended to your friends and colleagues, etc etc. (I’m sure you know the drill.) And as always, I’m providing links so you can access some of the most useful info around, to support parents and families who are trying to find the best screen experiences. Watch out for the next full episode, coming soon! Meanwhile, find us on: Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/outsidethescreenpod/] Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/outsidethescreenpod/] LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizabeth-handsley-8ba3322a5/] Substack [https://outsidethescreen.substack.com/podcast] Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/outside-the-screen-podcast/id1714544513] Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/6PaDzgZLb7rxY5DlhcZyHY] OR search your favourite listening platform (let me know if it’s not there! – outsidethescreenpod[at]gmail.com) Children and Media Australia (CMA) You can find the Children and Media Australia Know Before You Go service via this link [https://childrenandmedia.org.au/app-reviews/]. Then, depending what you’re looking for, you can sort the list or search by title alphabetically, by age suitability, by classification or by date added. All of the reviews are prepared by people with training in child development, and they cover every G and PG title released in Australian cinemas since 2002, as well as selected M-rated movies and some pre-2002 ones that are available on streaming services. Or at this link [https://childrenandmedia.org.au/app-reviews/], you can access Know Before You Load – reviews of game style apps and apps that may appeal to young children. These cover some extra things that are relevant to games, like data collection and gambling-like content. You might also like to sign up for our KBYG Weekly newsletter [https://7b0c1c9e.sibforms.com/serve/MUIFAJq4UIDUyR7hFR1Vhz-qJweU4snCGtYv0PmaYRGmb7enTu8wQZdaCTzulBwnDedlaNz5K-S-CO-9KfNnDF0xNA1cLXV4wDCJS4DPajSBtIEk1lW9kE-uiOqoNcdgj39YF1VYiOeIEtuj_VEkcI66MbFCH0K9SUCm1jzpzicKGCzNat2F3ICmHwUsh785KMnEDBvSWZkpKKwa] about the latest reviews, and join the CMA facebook community [http://www.facebook.com/australiancouncilonchildrenandthemedia]. Outside the Screen Podcast is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Get full access to Outside the Screen Podcast at outsidethescreen.substack.com/subscribe [https://outsidethescreen.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4]

Ep 61: More on kidfluencers

Good to be back! I had a lovely few weeks swanning (or rather traipsing) around Portugal, Spain, Norway* and Denmark, and now it’s back down to business. I’m pleased to advise I finally got a chance to interview my former colleague Andrew Stewart about the state of affairs regarding kidfluencers in Australia. (It only took 19 episodes, but who’s counting?) While I said back in Episode 42 that I thought child protection law had the best scope for preventing harm and exploitation, Andrew suggests special guidelines under workplace health and safety law - to address the special needs and vulnerabilities of children. Bit of a theme developing there. Lots more gems of information and insight, so don’t miss this interview. In Paper Round I take you through an article about screen time rules - and as usual the message is that it’s not just about length of time, it’s about the quality of the content AND the time of day. While the findings of the study seem quite small and localised, they can spark a lot of reflection on the general utility, not just of rules themselves, but of their content and the way they are enforced. I also mention in this episode that I’m going to have an announcement soon about the future of the podcast. I’m mentioning it here, too. Watch this space. Or subscribe and you’ll get an email when something happens. No review this week, but there’s a link below where you can access Know Before You Go and Know Before You Load. Glenn will be back next episode. *The background photo is a detail from a wall in the Oslo City Hall. Show notes New Zealand paper: Ladan Hashemi, Maryam Ghasemi, Deborah Schlichting, Maryam Pirouzi, Cameron Grant and Boyd Swinburn, 'Prospective relationship between family screen time rules, obesogenic behaviours, and childhood obesity' (2024) European Journal of Public Health https://doi.org/10.1093/eurpub/ckae169 [https://doi.org/10.1093/eurpub/ckae169] Zooming Out details: Professor Andrew Stewart [https://www.qut.edu.au/about/our-people/academic-profiles/andrewjohn.stewart]; Episode 42 [https://substack.com/home/post/p-147058952] Find us on: Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/outsidethescreenpod/] Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/outsidethescreenpod/] LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizabeth-handsley-8ba3322a5/] Substack [https://outsidethescreen.substack.com/podcast] Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/outside-the-screen-podcast/id1714544513] Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/6PaDzgZLb7rxY5DlhcZyHY] OR search your favourite listening platform (let me know if it’s not there! – outsidethescreenpod[at]gmail.com) Children and Media Australia (CMA) You can find the Children and Media Australia Know Before You Go service via this link [https://childrenandmedia.org.au/app-reviews/]. Then, depending what you’re looking for, you can sort the list or search by title alphabetically, by age suitability, by classification or by date added. All of the reviews are prepared by people with training in child development, and they cover every G and PG title released in Australian cinemas since 2002, as well as selected M-rated movies and some pre-2002 ones that are available on streaming services. Or at this link [https://childrenandmedia.org.au/app-reviews/], you can access Know Before You Load – reviews of game style apps and apps that may appeal to young children. These cover some extra things that are relevant to games, like data collection and gambling-like content. You might also like to sign up for our KBYG Weekly newsletter [https://7b0c1c9e.sibforms.com/serve/MUIFAJq4UIDUyR7hFR1Vhz-qJweU4snCGtYv0PmaYRGmb7enTu8wQZdaCTzulBwnDedlaNz5K-S-CO-9KfNnDF0xNA1cLXV4wDCJS4DPajSBtIEk1lW9kE-uiOqoNcdgj39YF1VYiOeIEtuj_VEkcI66MbFCH0K9SUCm1jzpzicKGCzNat2F3ICmHwUsh785KMnEDBvSWZkpKKwa] about the latest reviews, and join the CMA facebook community [http://www.facebook.com/australiancouncilonchildrenandthemedia]. Get full access to Outside the Screen Podcast at outsidethescreen.substack.com/subscribe [https://outsidethescreen.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4]

Ep 60: Sarah Davies on holding tech companies accountable

This episode is a little different, as I’ve devoted the whole thing to a single interview (see below). I’ve been wondering if I could maybe bring in a few alternative formats for individual episodes, for example not having a Paper Round or a movie review every single time. Let me know what you think! Are you just as happy to hear a long interview as to be getting info about research and movies? The interview is with Sarah Davies AM, the CEO of the Alannah and Madeline Foundation. She joined me to discuss a new, iceberg-based infographic that the Foundation has published, to just show how concerned we should be about data privacy. I also mention my plan to take a month’s break from the production schedule, so expect me back in your inbox in late April. If you miss me, let me know! Outside the Screen is a listener-supported podcast. To receive new episodes and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Show notes Alannah and Madeline Foundation: https://www.alannahandmadeline.org.au/ [https://www.alannahandmadeline.org.au/] Iceberg infographic: https://www.alannahandmadeline.org.au/what-we-do/advocacy/digital-rights/tech-iceberg [https://www.alannahandmadeline.org.au/what-we-do/advocacy/digital-rights/tech-iceberg] Digitalk: https://www.alannahandmadeline.org.au/learning-resources/digitalk [https://www.alannahandmadeline.org.au/learning-resources/digitalk] Beacon app: https://beacon.thekids.org.au/ [https://beacon.thekids.org.au/] Find us on: Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/outsidethescreenpod/] Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/outsidethescreenpod/] LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizabeth-handsley-8ba3322a5/] Substack [https://outsidethescreen.substack.com/podcast] Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/outside-the-screen-podcast/id1714544513] Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/6PaDzgZLb7rxY5DlhcZyHY] OR search your favourite listening platform (let me know if it’s not there! – outsidethescreenpod[at]gmail.com) Children and Media Australia (CMA) You can find the Children and Media Australia Know Before You Go service via this link [https://childrenandmedia.org.au/app-reviews/]. Then, depending what you’re looking for, you can sort the list or search by title alphabetically, by age suitability, by classification or by date added. All of the reviews are prepared by people with training in child development, and they cover every G and PG title released in Australian cinemas since 2002, as well as selected M-rated movies and some pre-2002 ones that are available on streaming services. Or at this link [https://childrenandmedia.org.au/app-reviews/], you can access Know Before You Load – reviews of game style apps and apps that may appeal to young children. These cover some extra things that are relevant to games, like data collection and gambling-like content. You might also like to sign up for our KBYG Weekly newsletter [https://7b0c1c9e.sibforms.com/serve/MUIFAJq4UIDUyR7hFR1Vhz-qJweU4snCGtYv0PmaYRGmb7enTu8wQZdaCTzulBwnDedlaNz5K-S-CO-9KfNnDF0xNA1cLXV4wDCJS4DPajSBtIEk1lW9kE-uiOqoNcdgj39YF1VYiOeIEtuj_VEkcI66MbFCH0K9SUCm1jzpzicKGCzNat2F3ICmHwUsh785KMnEDBvSWZkpKKwa] about the latest reviews, and join the CMA facebook community [http://www.facebook.com/australiancouncilonchildrenandthemedia]. The GoFundMe page is here [https://gofund.me/2957c51b]. Remember, it’s tax-deductible! Get full access to Outside the Screen Podcast at outsidethescreen.substack.com/subscribe [https://outsidethescreen.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4]