May 27
Africa: We Found Over 300 Million Young People Had Experienced Online Sexual Abuse and Exploitation Over the Course of Our Meta-Study
It takes a lot to shock Kelvin Lay. My friend and colleague was responsible for setting up Africa's first dedicated child exploitation and human trafficking units, and for many… Read more »
May 12
Malawi: Malawi's School Kids Are Using Tablets to Improve Their Reading and Maths Skills
Malawi introduced free primary education in 1994. This has significantly improved access to schooling. However, the country - which is one of the poorest in the world - still faces… Read more »
April 28
Africa: Talking to Teens About Sex - Advice for Parents On When, How, What to Say and Why It's So Important
The "birds and the bees". The "facts of life". Whatever you call it, many parents dread discussing sex and sexuality with their teenagers. They may be embarrassed, or worried that… Read more »
April 25
South Africa: South Africa's Youth Are a Generation Lost Under Democracy - Study
South African president Cyril Ramaphosa recently painted a rosy picture in which the country's youth - "democracy's children" - had enormous opportunities for advancement, all… Read more »
April 15
Africa: Our Research Suggests Eating an Unhealthy Breakfast Could Have a Similar Effect On Your Child's School Day As Having Nothing At All
Many parents know it is important for their teenagers to have breakfast before they go to school. Even though young people can be reluctant to eat it, breakfast provides the energy… Read more »
April 24
Africa: Sugar in Baby Food - Why Nestlé Needs to Be Held to Account in Africa
Nestlé has been criticised for adding sugar and honey to infant milk and cereal products sold in many poorer countries. The Swiss food giant controls 20% of the baby-food… Read more »
April 10
Africa: Young People Are Getting Unhappier - a Lack of Childhood Freedom and Independence May Be Partly to Blame
Experts often highlight social media and harsh economic times as key reasons why young people are getting unhappier. And while those factors are important, I would like to… Read more »
April 17
South Africa: Social Media for Sex Education - South African Teens Explain How It Would Help Them
Most teenagers dread talking about sex with their parents. Their parents feel the same way. In some societies it's considered taboo to even broach the subject. And, even where… Read more »
April 02
Africa: Affordable Stroke-Risk Screening Could Save the Lives of Many Children in Sub-Saharan Africa With Sickle Cell Disease
Most of the estimated 300,000 babies born every year with sickle cell disease, an inherited red blood cell disorder, live in sub-Saharan Africa in nations where there are few… Read more »
April 09
Africa: Nine Out of 10 Kids Are Not Developmentally On Track in Literacy and Numeracy - Study of 8 African Countries
Children develop an enormous amount during their early years - socially, physically, emotionally and cognitively. What happens between the ages of 0 and 8 years can predict… Read more »
April 03
Rwanda: Children Born of Rape - the Devastating Legacy of Sexual Violence in Post-Genocide Rwanda
Trigger warning: this article contains accounts of sexual violence. Read more »
March 24
South Africa: Parents Who Believe Their Children Can Have a Better Future Are More Likely to Read and Play With Them - South African Study
Every day, a small group of women make their way through the community of Sweetwaters, near the South African city of Pietermaritzburg, with bags of toys and books. They work as… Read more »
Africa: Worried About How to Support Your Child's Education? Here Are Four Useful Steps You Can Take
Parents play a crucial role in supporting their children's learning. Their involvement lays the foundation for success both inside and outside the classroom. This makes a parent's… Read more »
March 22
Nigeria: Hundreds of Nigerian Children Are Being Kidnapped - the Govt Must Change Its Security Strategy
School abductions have been a trend in Nigeria. The latest took place in Kaduna and Sokoto states, both in the north-west region, when over 300 children were abducted at different… Read more »
March 11
Africa: Why Do Trees Need Sunlight? an Environmental Scientist Explains Photosynthesis
Curious Kids is a series for children of all ages. If you have a question you'd like an expert to answer, send it to curiouskidsus@theconversation.com. Read more »
February 20
Africa: Screen Time Doesn't Have to Be Sedentary - 3 Ways It Can Get Kids Moving
There have been concerns about screens making kids more sedentary and less active since TV was introduced more than half a century ago. Read more »
February 29
Africa: How Teens Benefit From Being Able to Read 'Disturbing' Books That Some Want to Ban
Should we worry, as massive book-banning efforts imply, that young people will be harmed by certain kinds of books? For over a decade and through hundreds of interviews, my… Read more »
February 08
Africa: 'It Needs to Be Talked About Earlier' - Some Children Get Periods At 8, Years Before Menstruation Is Taught At School
Managing menstruation in public can be challenging at the best of times, but imagine being eight years old and having to deal with your period at school. You might need to change… Read more »
January 29
Kenya: Healthcare Workers Abuse a Third of Young Mums From Informal Settlements - Study
Adolescent pregnancy is a global public health concern: in 2022, about 13% of girls and young women gave birth before the age of 18. Read more »
January 22
Africa: Good Lunchboxes - Here's How Parents Can Prepare Healthy Food and Keep Costs Down
Heading back to school is a time of great anticipation for many families, but it is not without challenges. One of the big challenges is preparing healthy, easy, affordable and… Read more »
January 18
Africa: Excessive Social Media Use During the Covid-19 Pandemic Exacerbated Adolescent Mental Health Challenges
How does time spent online, and especially social media, affect the brains and behaviours of children and youth? Read more »
Africa: Students Do Better and Schools Are More Stable When Teachers Get Mental Health Support
When it comes to mental health at school, typically the focus is on helping students, especially as they emerge from the pandemic with heightened levels of anxiety, stress and… Read more »
January 07
Africa: Young Africans Could Disrupt Authoritarian States but They Don't - Here's Why
Africa has the world's largest youth population. By 2030, 75% of the African population will be under the age of 35. The number of young Africans aged 15-24 is projected to reach… Read more »
January 04
South Africa: Bullies in South African Schools Were Often Bullied Themselves - Insights From an Expert
"Pupil stabbed to death at Gauteng school had suffered history of bullying". "Grade 6 learner commits suicide after bullying". "Grade 11 learner takes her own life after taunts… Read more »
January 03
South Africa: School Uniforms May Trigger Sensory Overload in Kids Who Are Sensitive to Fabrics - Our Research Can Help
Many people live with what's known as sensory over-reactivity or over-responsiveness. Those with this condition experience an over-reaction to sensory stimuli, such as touch. When… Read more »