Digital Tweens

03/09/2026

What a fantastic first day at the National Education Summit Melbourne!

It was wonderful to speak with so many educators and school leaders about the challenges and opportunities children and young people face as they grow up with digital technologies.

We had some great conversations about how Digital Tweens can support schools, parents and communities with practical, research-informed approaches to digital wellbeing and digital parenting - from parent presentations through to staff professional learning and student programs.

A big thank you to everyone who stopped by today, shared their experiences, asked questions or simply came over for a chat.

We’ll be back again tomorrow, so if you’re at the National Education Summit Melbourne on Friday, come and say hello at Stand C43.

And if you need help finding us, just find the coffee shop. We’re directly opposite!

01/09/2026

If you’re at the National Education Summit Melbourne on Thursday or Friday this week, Digital Tweens is easy to find.

Find the coffee shop. We’re directly opposite at Stand C43.

Stop by and talk with Dr Mark Yeowell about digital parenting, parent evenings, staff professional learning and practical digital wellbeing education for children and young people.

National Education Summit Melbourne

3–4 September 2026

Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre

Register free: https://invt.io/1lxbvxik0dq

18/08/2026

Before the first smartphone arrived, the parents in Mark’s study were worried about things such as strangers and inappropriate content.

Once the phones arrived, much of the day-to-day concern was different.

In these three families, use increased quickly. The children found it difficult to regulate for themselves, the phone increasingly filled empty moments, and some non-digital activities began to fall away.

That difference between what parents expected and what actually happened is one of the conversations Digital Tweens brings into parent evenings.

Meet Dr Mark Yeowell at Stand C43 at the National Education Summit Melbourne.

Register free: https://invt.io/1lxbvxik0dq

17/08/2026

Every parent in Mark’s doctoral study said they would have welcomed more guidance and support from their child’s primary school.

Digital Tweens works with schools to provide that support through parent evenings and webinars, staff professional learning and practical resources schools can use themselves.

The work is grounded in doctoral research into what happened after children received their first smartphone, and in more than thirty years working with children, young people and families.

Meet Dr Mark Yeowell at Stand C43 at the National Education Summit Melbourne on 3–4 September.

Register free: https://invt.io/1lxbvxik0dq

11/08/2026

We’re excited to be at the National Education Summit in Melbourne 3rd and 4th September. Come and see us on stand C43, opposite the coffee stand, and find out how we can support your school’s parents, staff and students.

11/08/2026

28/06/2026

Do you have a son aged 9–12 who enjoys gaming and watching gaming videos online? Researchers at RMIT University are inviting families who live in/near Melbourne to take part in a study exploring how online gaming content can shape boys’ ideas about manhood, relationships and gender.

By sharing your experiences, you’ll help inform the development of practical resources to support parents and children in promoting positive masculinities and respectful behaviour online. You’ll also be compensated for your time.

To learn more about the study, visit https://respectfulgamingproject.org.au/contribute.

If you’re interested in taking part, please sign up here: https://forms.office.com/r/ST5VnUasJ0

12/05/2026

Do you have a son aged 9-12 who plays games and watches gaming videos online, and live in/near Melbourne? If so, researchers at RMIT University would love to chat to you for a study on gender in online gaming content popular with tween boys! Your experiences will help to develop resources to educate parents and children about navigating online games content safely and respectfully.

If you’re interested, please head to https://respectfulgamingproject.org.au/contribute for more info.

29/04/2026

I had the privilege to present last week for volunteers mentors (Pyjama Angels) with The Pyjama Foundation.

We explored the digital world children and young people are navigating, and the role trusted adults can play in supporting digital safety and wellbeing.

The Pyjama Foundation does amazing work with children and young people in foster care through its volunteer Pyjama Angel mentors. I also have the privilege of being a Pyjama Angel myself, and I can honestly say it is one of the most rewarding hours of my week. You can find out more about becoming a Pyjama Angel at https://www.thepyjamafoundation.com/

Thank you to The Pyjama Foundation for the invitation, and of course to all the amazing Pyjama Angels for the generous work you do.

03/02/2026

Absolutely delighted to be returning to Gippsland Grammar next week and looking forward to speaking to parents in both Sale and Bairnsdale, as well as leading workshops for students in Years 3 to 6 again.

📱 Is your child asking for their first phone? Or are they already deep in group chats, gaming and messaging?

This is one of the big parenting questions of the tween years, and it’s one many families are navigating right now.

Next Thursday - February 12 - Gippsland Grammar is hosting a free community information session with founder of Digital Tweens and former Head of our St Anne’s Campus, Mark Yeowell. This session is designed specifically for parents of 9–14 year olds.

Grounded in research and real-world experience, Mark will unpack:
✅ What digital life really looks like for tweens today
✅ How to set boundaries around phones and screens without constant conflict
✅ Group chats, gaming and online pressures — what parents need to know
✅ What Australia’s under-16 social media changes mean for your child
✅ Practical strategies and conversations you can use straight away

📍 Gippsland Grammar, Garnsey Campus, Sale
🕖 7–8pm | Thursday February 12
🎟️ Free entry | Everyone welcome
🔗 Registration required: https://tinyurl.com/DigitalTweensSale