Social Media – Children/tamariki and Young people/rangatahi

We at the RACP welcome the commitment by the governments of Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand to protect the health and wellbeing of children/tamariki and young people/rangatahi in their use of social media.

We call on both the Australian and Aotearoa New Zealand governments to ensure that social media platforms are responsible for:

• creating safer online environments for children/tamariki and young people/rangatahi
• maintaining safe online environments as these individuals grow into adulthood

We also advocate for a public health approach that considers the whole population when regulating how children/tamariki and young people/rangatahi access social media.

View our position statement (PDF).

Supporting children and young people’s health and wellbeing in conflict zones

The Paediatrics and Child Health Division (PCHD) stands with those affected by conflict and is committed to their care, protection and future. The PCHD has developed a statement: Supporting Children and Young People’s Health and Wellbeing in Conflict Zones (PDF).

The PCHD reaffirms its commitment to advocating – now and into the future – for the rights, dignity, health and wellbeing of all children and young people impacted by conflict.

Health care of children in care and protection services – Australia

On 21 June 2023, the RACP Health care of children in care and protection services – Australia position statement (PDF) was launched at the RACP 2023 Parliamentary Child Health Roundtable at Parliament House, Canberra. The RACP hosted the event with the Parliamentary Friends of Child and Adolescent Health and Mental Health, which is Co-Chaired by Dr Mike Freelander MP, Dr David Gillespie MP, and Dr Monique Ryan MP, who are all Fellows of the RACP and attended the Roundtable.

The position statement considers current evidence and proposes strategies and recommendations to deliver effective health care to children and young people who are at risk of entering out-of-home care, are in out-of-home care, or are in contact with care and protection services across Australia.

Recommendations are directed to the Commonwealth and State/Territory Governments, and providers and workers involved with children and young people, health, care and protection services across Australia.

To complement the position statement, a summary document (PDF) as well as an overview of the principles and recommendations (PDF) have been developed.

The Roundtable raised awareness across the Australian Federal Parliament of the health and wellbeing needs of children in care and protection services and youth justice settings. It provided a valuable space for Members of Parliament, government advisers and key stakeholders to discuss ways to improve health and care for these children, including showcasing innovative models of care.

The Roundtable was well attended by Federal Government Ministers, Members of Parliament, RACP members, key stakeholders and leaders of child health organisations.

The RACP 2023 Parliamentary Child Health Roundtable report (PDF) has been published, providing a summary of the event, identifying key learnings and establishing next steps.