Australian kids today have greater access to screen entertainment than any generation before with an endless supply of kids’ content from around the globe. But as our new research shows, many Australian parents still want Australian-made content for their kids because it reflects local experiences.

The return of Goosebumps to our screens after nearly 25 years speaks to the enduring appeal of spooky young content. Why is it that many kids and teens remain hungry for a scare?

Adolescence is an important time for all young people to explore and establish their personal and social identities. In authentic portrayals of teens on screen, young people see characters navigating relatable issues. Co-viewing this content opens opportunities for dialogue among families, enabling teens to consolidate their understandings, share their ideas and ask questions.

The organiser of the Australian Children's Content Summit promised that “it will be like school camp for the children’s screen industry”. As ACTF CEO Jenny Buckland reflects, the inaugural Summit delievered on all its original expectations in spades, leaving attendees much to think about.

How can we best support the education, wellbeing and development of Australia’s children? The ACTF recently joined representatives from a broad range of organisations to consider this question and provide recommendations which will inform the Australian Government’s forthcoming Early Years Strategy.

Screen content that accurately and authentically reflects the modern-day adolescent experience has never been as important as it is right now as so many teenagers battle mental health issues.