Experts question informed consent in school tech use
As Australian schools increasingly rely on digital platforms, experts warn that parents may not be giving truly informed consent to how student data is collected and used.
‘Parents, teachers and students often don’t understand what data is collected by third-party platforms,’ Associate Professor Luci Pangrazio from Deakin University and the Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for the Digital Child said. ‘And without a real option to opt out, is consent even valid?’
Legal scholar Associate Professor Anna Bunn from Curtin University said current privacy laws aren’t enough.
‘Compliance with notice-and-consent rules doesn’t guarantee children’s privacy is protected.’
With data practices often hidden and consent processes complex, researchers say schools must do more to inform families and push tech companies to build safer, privacy-respecting tools.
Kids’ recall of alcohol ads sparks urgent call for reform
Most Australian teens recall seeing alcohol ads on TV, prompting health experts to call for urgent changes to advertising rules.
A new study by the Foundation for Alcohol Research and Education (FARE) and Cancer Council WA found that 70 per cent of children aged 15 to 17 remembered seeing alcohol ads in the past month, with one in three seeing them on commercial television, despite restrictions on alcohol advertising during children’s viewing times.
FARE CEO Ayla Chorley said the findings showed the need to close loopholes, especially the ‘sports loophole’ that allows alcohol ads during televised sport.
‘It defies logic that alcohol companies can advertise to under-18s when thousands are watching sport.’
The proposed Free TV Australia draft code would extend alcohol ad time by 800 hours a year, something 90 per cent of Australians oppose, according to previous FARE research.
Need for ongoing Catholic inclusion in national education reforms
The National Catholic Education Commission (NCEC) has emphasised the importance of including Catholic schools in national education reforms and programs as the Albanese Government’s second term begins.
Executive director Jacinta Collins said Catholic education must remain a key partner in initiatives such as the Better and Fairer Schools Agreement, student wellbeing programs, and teacher workforce strategies.
‘We look forward to working together on shared priorities, including strengthening the teacher workforce, supporting quality teaching, and addressing cost-of-living pressures on families.’
Surprise launch on final day of mission conference
A surprise announcement marked the final day of the 2025 Mission: One Heart Many Voices (MOHMV) conference: the launch of formation.org.au, a new professional association for those working in formation for mission across Australia.
Designed to support newcomers and experienced practitioners, formation.org.au aims to offer resources, mentoring, and community for all involved in the ministry of formation.
The morning also included reflections from young participants in Catholic Mission’s Interfaith Encounters Program.
‘Through the program, young people find hope,’ said one student. ‘They’re encouraged to go out, ask questions, and come together.’
Pictured: Lead Facilitator of the newly created association Lana Turvey-Collins introduced formation.org.au to over 200 attendees (Catholic Mission).
In brief
More than 100 schools remain closed across the Mid North Coast, Hunter and Central Coast of New South Wales due to flooding, heavy rain and high winds, and more schools could become non-operational in these areas.
What’s On
Webinar for South Australian educators – Building inclusive schools: Autism CRC, in partnership with the South Australian government, is offering a free webinar on fostering inclusive school communities.
Date: 5 June 2025. Register now.
Free Autism Workshop for Educators in Brisbane: Positive Partnerships is hosting a free two-day workshop for educators in Brisbane on 10–11 June. Learn practical strategies for inclusive teaching and deepen your understanding of autism. Ideal for school teams of two to three educators.
Location: Room 201, Building 1018 ISSR, UQ Long Pocket Precinct, 80 Meiers Rd, Indooroopilly.
Contact: Rachael Dillon – [email protected]
Spaces are limited – register now!
Clean Up Australia and the Ubuntu Foundation invite Queenslanders to clean up their local environment this May. For every participant in a Queensland Clean Up event from 1–31 May 2025, Ubuntu Foundation will donate $20 to Women’s Legal Service Queensland, supporting women and children affected by domestic violence. Find out more.
Script a Smile: Screen comedy can be a powerful tool to spark creativity, critical thinking and self-expression in the classroom. Explore the basics of timing, the art of jokes and how to create funny characters through shows they love, like Little Lunch, The Inbestigators and Hardball.
Friday, 6 Jun 2025, 11.30am AEST
Free virtual workshop Years 5 – 8
Book here.
Media and digital literacy for teachers (Free webinar series): Equip students to navigate the digital world critically with media experts Michael Dezuanni and Amanda Levido. This free series covers curriculum links, teaching strategies, and useful resources.
Sessions (3.45–4.30pm AEST):
• 28 May: Digital literacy and critical thinking in English
• 18 Jun: Early years media literacy with PhD researcher Tammy White
• 6 Aug: Media literacy for Years 4–8
• 20 Aug: Media literacy in the age of AI
Presenters: Dr Amanda Levido (Southern Cross University) and Prof Michael Dezuanni (QUT), both leaders in media literacy education and research.
Book here.