Children & Family Health Stories
Sydney Sweeney's Cindy Lou Who Ad Sparks Backlash Over Sexualisation and Children's Media
Sydney Sweeney's festive lingerie campaign prompted debate over childhood nostalgia, sexualised advertising and the potential effects of appearance-focused media on young people's body image and wellbeing. 
Ireland's New Ad Urges Grandparents To Ask Before Hugging Children, Can Forced Affection Affect Wellbeing?
Ireland's controversial consent advert has reignited debate over forced hugs. Could pressuring children to show affection affect their emotional well-being? 
Toxic Paint Used To Make Children's Food Look More Colourful as China Hands Kindergarten Owner Life Sentence
A Chinese court has sentenced a kindergarten operator to life in prison after toxic paint was added to food, causing abnormal blood lead levels in 247 children. 
States Accuse AI Chatbot of Harming Children as Debate Over Teenagers' Online Safety Intensifies
At least eight US states have sued OpenAI, alleging ChatGPT poses safety risks to children and teenagers, while the company says it is improving protections for vulnerable users. 
9-Year-Old Suffers Burns to 70% of His Body After Attempting Dangerous Social Media Challenge
A 9-year-old boy suffered burns to over 70% of his body in a dangerous social media challenge, prompting an urgent warning from New Orleans officials. 
Pregnant Women's Exposure to 'Safer' Plastic Chemical Linked To Smaller Newborns
A study of 6,617 US pregnancies found that higher prenatal exposure to the plasticiser DINCH was associated with slightly lower birth weight, though causation remains unproven. 
Teen Girls Overtook Boys in Vaping in 2021 and the Gap Persisted Through 2024
A decade-long study found US teenage girls overtook boys in regular e-cigarette use in 2021, with vaping rates among older girls reaching 7.8% in 2024. 
Tucker Carlson Claims Bestiality Videos Can Make Horses 'Attractive', Raising Sexual Desensitisation Concerns
A circulating clip appears to show Tucker Carlson discussing pornography and sexual arousal, but the quote is absent from the supplied transcript and research offers mixed evidence. 
Sydney Sweeney Ad Under Fire as Dodgers Star Slams 'Soft Porn' MLB Ads: 'My Son Wants To Watch Baseball'
Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Alex Call has urged MLB and US broadcasters to remove sexualised adverts from playoff coverage, saying parents should not face them while watching with children. 
DWTS Star Gleb Savchenko Claims Ex-Wife Gave Teen Daughter Weight-Loss Medication Without Medical Oversight
Court documents show Gleb Savchenko has accused Elena Samodanova of giving their teenage daughter weight-loss medication without medical supervision. 
Sam Bailey's Son Rushed to A&E After 'Massive Seizure' as Family Seek Answers Over Epilepsy Medication
X Factor winner Sam Bailey says her 17-year-old son Tommy was taken to hospital after a second seizure in five weeks, despite taking epilepsy medication. Tests were clear. 
14-Year-Old Boy's Cancer Came Back Weeks After He Was Declared Cancer-Free, So He Mentally 'Switched Off'
Ethan Griffiths, 14, from Wales, describes how music, sleep and emotional distance helped him cope after Burkitt lymphoma returned and led to intensive treatment and a stem cell transplant. 
US TikTok Missionary, 23, Accused of Sexually Abusing Three Boys He Helped Send to School in Haiti
Maylon Foshee, 23, is accused of sexually abusing three 14-year-old boys in Haiti, with the federal complaint also detailing alleged coercion, physical abuse and the risk of lasting trauma. 
Christian Author and Husband Face Child Abuse Charges After Teen Reports Being Beaten With Mobile Phone
Christian author Heather Thompson Day and her husband were arrested in Texas after a teacher reported a teenager's injuries, prompting an investigation into alleged abuse and safeguarding concerns. 
Children Who Focus More on Sad Faces May Face Higher Depression Risk, Study Suggests
A Binghamton University study found that children of mothers with depression may become more drawn to sad faces as their own symptoms worsen.