Digital Child
We know that children’s lived experiences are rapidly changing, and that every childhood is now fundamentally digital. Our mission is to create positive digital childhoods for every child in Australia.
We do this by focusing on:
• Healthy digital lives, understanding how digital technology intersects children’s lived experiences and providing guidance to families, educators, and policymakers as they navigate this space.
• Educational empowerment, equipping children with the skills they need to live their best digital lives.
• Safe digital spaces, making online engagement safer while promoting healthy digital relationships.
Our Steering Committee
We would like to acknowledge the contribution of our Steering Committee, who shaped the program. We thank them for contributing their time and expertise.
• Professor Simon Smith (Chair), Digital Child
• Annabel Astbury, ABC Education
• Jackie Coates, Telstra Foundation
• John Livingstone, UNICEF Australia
• Dr Sandra Cheeseman, C&K
• Sara Cousins, eSafety Commissioner
• Dr Kate Bower, Office of the Australian Information Commissioner
Digital Childhoods Summit 2026 Welcome to
Thank you for joining us at the third Digital Childhoods Summit.
With a focus on policy and practice, the Summit is a peak meeting of the many key stakeholders –including government, regulators, industry, and the community sector – who care for children and their digital lives.
We hope you enjoy the next two days. We look forward to working with you to identify actions for supporting children in the digital world.
DAY ONE
Wednesday, 27 May
TIME
8.50-9.00 Arrival | QT Ballroom 2
DETAILS
Welcome to Country - Tina Brown Woden Valley Children’s Choir
9.00-9.30
Introduction to the Summit – Professor Simon Smith
Opening remarks – Distinguished Professor Susan Danby
9.30-10.00 Keynote - Deb Tsobaris, National Children's Commissioner
10.00-10.30 Research highlights: Australian Children of the Digital Age
10.30-11.00 Morning tea
Panel #1 - Inclusion and Opportunities: child participation and equity
Chair – Professor Lennie Barblett
11.00-11.50
• Wendy Field, Digital Child and QUT
• Jess Wilson, Good Things Foundation
• Ben Au, Snap
• Kathryn Tohill, Starlight Children’s Foundation
12.20-12.50 Group discussion
12.50-1.50 Lunch
Stream 1
1.50-3.50
3.50-4.00
Health in the Digital Age: From Evidence to Action on Harms and Benefits
Studio Room 1
Stream 2
EdTech Under the Microscope: Measuring Costs and Benefits for Learning and Development
Studio Room 2
Stream 3
Safety versus privacy: The costs and benefits of increased surveillance QT Ballroom 2
Chair invites attendees to continue discussion in the networking session
4.00-5.00 Networking session | Cahoots Events Lounge
DAY TWO Thursday, 28 May
TIME DETAILS
8.50-9.00 Arrival | QT Ballroom 2
9.00-9.10 Welcome to Day 2 – Professor Simon Smith
9.10-9.40 Keynote – Dr Kate Bower, Office of the Australian Information Commissioner
9.40-10.10 Research highlights from the Digital Child
10.10-10.40 Morning tea
Panel #2 - Privacy and Safety: Protection by design
Chair: Professor Tama Leaver
10.40-11.30
• Ariana Kurzeme, Alannah and Madeline Foundation
• Ryan Elwell, University of Canberra
• Ellen O’Brien, eSafety
11.30-12.00 Group discussion (30 mins)
12.00-1.00 Lunch
Panel #3 - Digital Pathways: From evidence to resources
Chair: Professor Leon Straker
1.00-1.50
• Natasha Banks, Day of AI
• Stephanie Smith, MOAD
• Sage Emmerson, eSafety
1.50-2.20 Group discussion
Panel #4 - Messaging and Media: Making communication work
Chair: Professor Daniel Johnson
2.20-3.10
• Dr Aleesha Rodriguez, Office of the Australian Information Commissioner
• Annabel Astbury, ABC
• Daniel Donahoo, Project ROCKIT
• Ash Kapoor, Telstra Foundation youth ambassador
3.10-3.30 Wrap-up from Professor Simon Smith
3.30-4.00 Networking and afternoon tea
Australian Children of the Digital Age Longitudinal Study
Our Australian Children of the Digital Age (ACODA) study is documenting and tracking patterns of more than 3,000 Australian families and their children from six months to six years of age.
By engaging thousands of families across Australia, we are learning more about how digital technologies are used by young children and understand the impact of technology use.
ACODA dashboard
Our new ACODA dashboard presents an overview of data gathered through the study, including metrics on:
• Internet access
• Digital devices in ACODA homes
• Devices used by and owned by ACODA children
• Device internet connectivity
You can access the dashboard on our website. We will add each wave of data as it becomes available.
Want to find out more?
Chat to Dr Janelle MacKenzie, Dr Julian Matthews, and Professor Daniel Johnson.
ACODA projects:
Self-regulation profiles and digital childhoods
This project examines the distinct self-regulation profiles that can be identified within the ACODA cohort. It also examines how these self-regulation profiles are associated with children’s digital activities.
Want to find out more?
Chat to Dr Sumudu Mallawaarachchi.
Parental access of information about digital technology use for their children
When navigating parenting during the first 5 years of a child’s life, parents commonly seek information about a range of different topics. This study aims to gain an understanding of the factors that potentially influence if/ how parents seek information about their children’s digital technology use, and whether these practices relate with their digital technology use practices.
Want to find out more?
Chat to Dr Danica Hendry and Professor Leon Straker.
Linking ACODA, AEDC and NAPLAN to understand the impact of early childhood digital engagement on developmental and educational outcomes
By linking ACODA data with the Australian Early Development Census (AEDC) and the National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN), this project will generate insights into how early digital engagement relates to population-level outcomes at key transition points including school entry (AEDC) and midprimary schooling (NAPLAN).
Want to find out more?
Chat to Dr Julian Matthews.
Understanding Light, Technology, and Environments of Children: The LighTECh Study
There is growing concern about how inappropriate light exposure affects children’s sleep, cognitive function, and overall well-being. This study will contribute to ACODA by moving beyond self-reported effects of screen time to objectively measure light exposure and its outcomes.
Want to find out more?
Chat to Dr Cassandra Pattinson and Professor Simon Smith.
digitalchild.org.au
