News Digest smallof Australian Council on Children and the Media (incorporatingscreen Young Media ) ISSN: 0817-8224

No. 354 July 2018 Senate inquiry asks : Do ‘loot As readers of small screen will know, boxes’ = gambling? gambling in their state’s legislation. ACCM has been pushing for years for a radical revision of the NCS so that it reflects The Senate Environment and Communi- The Australian Government, through this research on what types of content impact cations References Committee has been inquiry, has the challenge of re-examin- children in which ways and at which receiving submissions into: ing its definitions of gambling and gam- stages in their development. And parents bling services and what should be done have been telling us that the PG and M The extent to which gaming micro-transac- in the light of this growing practice. classifications are not really helpful to tions for chance-based items, sometimes re- them in choosing age-appropriate movies ferred to as ‘loot boxes’, may be harmful, with National Classification Scheme and games. particular reference to: may be “modernised” If you’d like to be informed of any new a. whether the purchase of chance-based ACCM has been told by officers of the developments in the Department’s items, combined with the ability to mon- Department of Communications that examination of the National Classification etise these items on third-party platforms, Scheme, please let ACCM know at constitutes a form of gambling; and “The Department is exploring ways to b. the adequacy of the current consumer modernise the National Classification [email protected] protection and regulatory framework for Scheme [NCS] in light of technological and in-game micro transactions for chance- industry changes as well as community More information on ACCM’s position: based items, including international com- expectations. This includes examining • small screen 340/41 April/May 2017 parisons, age requirements and disclosure the National Classification Code and (parent survey results) of odds. Classification Guidelines to see whether they continue to reflect Australian • small screen 352 May 2018 The creators of online games have found community standards. Any changes to it difficult to make sufficient profit from the Code and Guidelines must be agreed • childrenandmedia.org.au/taking the sale of games, and have been in- by the Commonwealth and all states and -action/current-campaigns/classifi- creasingly utilising micro-transactions territories.” cation as a way of maximising revenue. Such transactions take place during games and can take the form of in-app purchases of items of value to the player, most usually LAST CHANCE TO JOIN IN! to improve his chances of advancing in the game. The distributors of the games online ( Apple, Google ) collect such pay- ments, both for initial and in-game pur- chases and are a third-party platform on behalf of the creators. Some of these micro-transactions take the form of “loot boxes” in which a player spends real money to buy a chance that the box might contain something that could improve his chances of winning in Strategies for struggles with screens the game. A conversation with US “mediatrician” Dr Michael Rich & Australian The growth of devices such as loot box- parenting expert Dr Justin Coulson for parents and teachers es has raised concerns world-wide as Facilitated by Dr John D’Arcy, a family doctor to whether these constitute gambling. Of particular concern is the exposure of 7:30pm – 9pm, Thursday 9th August 2018 children and young people who have Presbyterian Ladies’ College, Sydney high participation rates in online games. Several overseas governments (The Neth- Boundary St Croydon NSW 2132 Australia erlands, Belgium, China) have taken, or Tickets $35 Concession $30 are taking, steps to declare loot boxes as gambling and limit their use. www.trybooking.com/WUNP Several Australian states have looked into or pay cash at the door the matter, but have largely been unable to act because of the official definitions of

SENATE INQUIRY INTO EDITORIAL: NATIONAL CLASSIFICATION LOOT BOXES & GAMBLING DO LOOTBOXES=GAMBLING? SCHEME TO BE ‘MODERNISED’? small screen July 2018 p2

EDITORIAL

Do loot boxes equate to gambling?: more prominently within popular ACCM’s view on‐line games. In our view, some of these schemes could be no. 354 July 2018 In short, Yes. considered predatory. Predatory monetization schemes typically small screen In its submission to the Senate Environment and involve in‐game purchasing Communications Committee lodged this month, systems that disguise or withhold Editor: Barbara Biggins OAM ACCM says in summary: Compiler: Caroline Donald the true long‐term cost of the Barbara Biggins Editorial Board: Barbara Loot boxes are indistinguishable from traditional activity until players are already OAM Hon CEO Biggins, Judy Bundy, forms of gambling, from a psychological perspective. financially and psychologically Elizabeth Handsley. Both put pressure on participants to spend money committed. Such schemes are for an uncertain reward, and considering the high designed to encourage repeated player spending small screen is published engagement of children in video games, attention using tactics or elements that may involve, either at the beginning of each needs to be paid to ensure their protection. It is not singularly or in combination, limited disclosure month and reports on the to the point that the items to which one has access of the product; intrusive and unavoidable events of the previous after purchasing a loot box have no money value solicitations; and systems that manipulate reward month 11 issues per year (though we note that those items can sometimes be outcomes to reinforce purchasing behaviors over (Dec/Jan double issue) cashed out). The point is that the items are of value skillful or strategic play. …. to the player – often a high value considering the Published by importance of gaming in the lives of some players. ACCM noted the difficulties that a range of Australian Council on governments had in dealing with this issue, Children and the Media Therefore ACCM submits that, if the current legal when using a definition of gambling such as, (ACCM) definition of gambling does not include loot boxes, “the activity or practice of playing at a game of chance PO Box 1240 it should be amended so that it does, and loot boxes for money or other stakes.” Glenelg South 5045 should be included in any gambling regulations. South Australia We submit also that gambling should be added ACCM argues that this definition should be [email protected] as a classifiable element under the National widened to include “the act or practice of risking www.childrenandmedia.org.au Classification Scheme, and, in principle, games the loss of something important by taking a chance or Tel: +61 8 8376 2111 with gambling elements should be classified R18+. acting recklessly” . Fax: +61 8 8376 2122 ACCM reviewed what a number of Australian ACCM has long thought that gambling should ACCM is a national, and overseas researchers with track records of be included as a classifiable element in the non-profit community research into gaming and gambling had to say National Classification Scheme. When it is organisation. Its mission is about the psychological processes involved illegal for minors to gamble , and the community to promote a quality media when players were considering buying loot holds strong beliefs that participation in environment for Australian boxes within the flow of the game. They all gambling should not be promoted to minors, it children. found that the processes and risks were certainly seems logical that games in which players will gambling-like. be involved in gambling behaviour should be No part of this publication classified R18? may be reproduced without Australian researchers King and Delfabbro said: permission of the Editor. Game monetization schemes have become increasingly sophisticated and have been featured Contributions are welcome.

New Australian children’s series from the creators of Little Lunch ACCM’s movie and app A new series from Gristmill, the creators of Little The series is based on an original idea by Robyn review services are Lunch , The InBESTigators has just commenced Butler. Robyn and her co-producer, Wayne supported by grants shooting in . Hope, established a writer’s room, working with from the a handful of emerging young comedy writers South Australian The 40 x 15 minute comedy/mystery series is a to plot and write 40 episodes over the course of Government co-commission between the ABC (Australia) 2017. and Netflix, with the series a ‘Netflix Original’ outside Australia. Actors for the main four roles have been chosen ACCM’s Website and the series will involve a large number of is designed and The series features a friendly neighbourhood children in guest roles across the episodes as supported by detective agency run by a mismatched group of well. 11 year-old primary school kids - Ezra, Maudie, Ava and Kyle - from a granny flat in Ezra’s The InBESTigators will debut on ABC ME in backyard. Australia and Netflix in rest of world in 2019. The Australian Children’s Television Foundation www.gocreate.com.au In every episode, there is a new case to crack, (ACTF ) is distributing the series. with the story being told by the kids in the same mockumentary style used in Little Lunch. While actf.com.au/news/10531/the-inbestigators- ACCM acknowledges keeping audiences hooked through intrigue, are-on-the-case support from the comedy and action, The InBESTigators explores Romeo Family themes of honesty, friendship and loyalty. small screen July 2018 p3 NEW PUBLICATIONS

ADVERTISING sharing behaviours when using iPads. MOBILE PHONES Brown, V., et al. 2018. Tech Know Learn 23, 199–221. Gewirtz-Meydan, A., Mitchell, K.J., The potential cost-effectiveness and Rothman, E.F., 2018. equity impacts of restricting television Zilka, G.C., Romi, S., 2018. What do kids think about sexting? advertising of unhealthy food and Viewing habits and identification with Computers in Human Behavior 86, 256–265. beverages to Australian children. television characters among at-risk and Nutrients 10, 622. normative children and adolescents. Ihm, J., 2018. International Journal of Child, Youth and Social implications of children’s Potvin Kent, M., et al. 2018. Family Studies 9, 47–67. smartphone addiction: The role The effectiveness of the food and of support networks and social beverage industry’s self-established HEALTH engagement. uniform nutrition criteria at improving Braig, S., et al 2018. Journal of Behavioral Addictions 7, 473–481. the healthfulness of food advertising Screen time, physical activity and viewed by Canadian children on self-esteem in children: the Ulm Birth Perez Escoda, A., 2018. television. Cohort Study. Usage of smartphones and social media International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition Int J Environ Res Public Health 15. in primary school students. and Physical Activity 15, 57. Prisma Social, (20), pp.76-91 Feliciano, E.M.C., et al. 2018. Tan, L., et al. 2018. Objective sleep characteristics and VIDEO GAMES What’s on YouTube? A case study on cardiometabolic health in young Barreto, D., Vasconcelos, L., Orey, M., food and beverage advertising in videos adolescents. 2017. targeted at children on social media. Pediatrics e20174085. Motivation and learning engagement Childhood Obesity 14, 280–290. through playing math video games. Iacobucci, G., 2018. Malaysian Journal of Learning and Social media should take more Instruction 14, 1–21. CHILD DEVELOPMENT responsibility for children’s mental Jeffery, C.P., 2018. health, says NHS boss. Reay, E., 2018. Too sexy too soon, or just another moral BMJ 361, k2634. Appraising the poetic power of panic? Sexualization, children, and children’s video games. “technopanics” in the Australian media Ngqangashe, Y., t al. 2018. Intl Research in Children’s Literature 11, 2004–2015. An experimental investigation of the 17–32. Feminist Media Studies 18, 366–380. effect of TV cooking show consumption on children’s food choice behaviour. McCarthy, E., Tiu, M., Li, L., 2018. International Journal of Consumer Studies Learning math with Curious George 42, 402–408. EVENTS and the Odd Squad: Transmedia in the classroom. Twohig-Bennett, C., Jones, A., 2018. Tech Know Learn 23, 223–246. The health benefits of the great ACEL Early Childhood Conference outdoors: A systematic review and Encourage teach support: McDaniel, B.T., Radesky, J.S., 2018. meta-analysis of greenspace exposure from child to citizen Technoference: longitudinal and health outcomes. associations between parent technology Environmental Research 166, 628–637. 9 – 10 August 2018 use, parenting stress, and child behavior Hilton, Sydney problems. MEDIATION acel.org.au Pediatric Research 1. Bozzola, E., et al. 2018. Media devices in pre-school children: *************** Peebles, A; Bonus, J; Mares, M. 2018 the recommendations of the Italian Questions plus answers plus agency: pediatric society. ECA National Conference 2018 Interactive touchscreens and children’s Italian Journal of Pediatrics 44, 69. Be the difference for learning from a socio-emotional TV children and families story. Dore, R.A., et al. 2018. 19–22 September 2018 Computers in Human Behavior, V 85, Pp The parent advantage in fostering Sydney ICC 339-348 children’s e-book comprehension. Early Childhood Research Quarterly 44, ecaconference.com.au Piotrowski, J.T., Meester, L., 2018. 24–33. Can apps support creativity in middle ***************** childhood? Fardouly, J., et al. 2018. Computers in Human Behavior 85, 23–33. Parental control of the time Deakin Food Policy Dialogue: preadolescents spend on social media: Creating healthier food retail Poulain, T., et al. 2018. links with preadolescents’ social media environments Reciprocal associations between appearance comparisons and mental Monday 15 October 2018 electronic media use and behavioral health. Deakin Downtown difficulties in preschoolers. J Youth Adolescence 47, 1456–1468. International Journal of Environmental Level 12, Tower 2, 727 Collins St Docklands, VIC 3008 Research and Public Health 15, 814. Przybylski, A.K., Nash, V., 2018. Internet filtering and adolescent www.eventbrite.com.au/e/ Ralph, R., 2018. exposure to online sexual material. deakin-food-policy-dialogue-2018- Media and technology in preschool Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social tickets-47006844738 classrooms: Manifesting prosocial Networking 21, 405–410. Membership rates(renewable on July 1st each year) $Aus (inc GST) AUSTRALIAN COUNCIL ON CHILDREN AND THE MEDIA Organisational Membership/Subscription Application National $210.00 Tax Invoice State $75.00 Individual $55.00 small screen subscription (for non-members) Name: ______In Australia $66.00 Organisation: ______Outside Australia $66.00 Address: ______New membership Renewal ______small screen subscription ______Donation (tax deductible $2 & over) ______Postcode:______Total

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Donations to ACCM of $2 or more are tax deductible bank transfer - BSB: 06 5109 ACC: 10008669 Tel: 61.8.8376.2111 Fax: 61.8.8376 2122 credit card online - www.trybooking.com/CXIM [email protected] www.childrenandmedia.org.au

WORLD NEWS

Spending time outside really is next five years, to researchers studying Threat to US children’s good for you how technology like mobile devices, social programming media, and virtual reality affect the way New research from the University of East children think, grow, and socialize. In the US the Campaign for a Commercial Anglia in the UK confirms that living close Free Childhood reports that they are urg- to nature and spending time outside has The bill is cosponsored by Democratic and ing the Federal Communications Commis- significant and wide-ranging health bene- Republican legislators and has received en- sion (FCC) to reconsider plans to weaken fits. dorsement from Facebook and US organi- decades of protections for children. zation Common Sense Media. It is a direct The new report reveals that exposure to response to society’s mounting concern Current FCC rules, which have been in greenspace reduces the risk of type II di- over its problematic relationship with tech- place since 1996, require broadcasters to abetes, cardiovascular disease, premature nology and the need for sound evidence of provide quality educational programming death, preterm birth, stress, and high blood the extent of this relationship. for kids. The changes under consideration pressure. Populations with higher levels of would remove this requirement. CCFC and greenspace exposure are also more likely www.wired.com/story/congress-has- nine other advocacy groups have sent the to report good overall health – according a-dollar65-million-proposal-to-study- FCC a letter, calling the proposed revisions to global data involving more than 290 mil- techs-effect-on-kids/ “a wish-list for broadcasters which does lion people. nothing to serve the needs of children.” Social media curfew for UK ‘Green space’ was defined as open, unde- children? www.commercialfreechildhood.org/ veloped land with natural vegetation as well as urban greenspaces, which included The fatherly.com website reports that the Crackdown on underage social urban parks and street greenery. British government is considering imple- media users menting a new policy that would force so- Researchers gathered evidence from over cial media apps and websites to impose a Cnet reports that Facebook and Instagram 140 studies involving more than 290 mil- curfew for younger users. A recent report have instructed their moderators to take a lion people. Data came from 20 countries showed that three-quarters of children be- tougher stance on underage kids. including the UK, the US, Spain, France, tween 10 and 12 currently have a social me- Germany, Australia and Japan dia account. There are concerns that certain Reviewers are being instructed to lock the apps are subtly coaxing younger users into accounts of people they suspect are young- www.uea.ac.uk/about/-/it-s-official- being on them all the time and the curfew er than 13, even if the person’s account is spending-time-outside-is-good-for-you is a suggested way of dealing with this. reported for something else. Previously, Facebook only deleted the accounts of chil- US Congress proposal to study the The new rules are likely to go into effect dren younger than 13 if someone reported effect of technology on children by the end of 2019, but may not result in them for their age. younger users being shut out entirely after People whose accounts are locked must In the US Congress, Colorado senator Mi- a certain hour. Instead, the situation may prove their age with government-issued chael Bennet has introduced legislation simple force companies to turn off notifica- ID to regain access. that would give the National Institutes of tions to younger users after a certain time. Health US$95 million to investigate tech- www.cnet.com/news/facebook-and-in- nology’s impact on infants, children, and www.fatherly.com/news/uk-govern- stagram-take-tougher-stance-on-under- adolescents. ment-considering-social-media-cur- few-for-kids/ age-kids/ The money would be distributed over the