Protection
How to Report Child Abuse in South Africa — and What Happens Next
You do not need proof or certainty to act on suspicions of child abuse. Under section 110 of the Children's Act, professionals and members of the…
The law, explained
What Happens When a Child Is Arrested: A Step-by-Step Explanation Of South Africa’s Child Justice Act
When a child under 18 is alleged to have committed an offence in South Africa, they do not go through the ordinary criminal justice system. Instead, they are processed under the Child Justice Act 75 of 2008.
Play
Free Play Is Doing More Work Than It Looks Like
Undirected, unrestricted time for play is no mere diversion from learning—it is the foundation of a child’s ability to master key skills that could…
Sport
Safeguarding Youth Sports Clubs: What to Check Before Your Child Joins
When choosing a youth sports club, it takes only a short check to recognise a well-prepared organisation by verifying a few concrete safeguarding…
Rights & Law
All 10 pieces
Minimum Age of Criminal Responsibility: The Threshold That Isn't Truly Set in Stone
Considering a 10-year-old to be a criminal seems harsh, and not all countries think it's fair, but it's a threshold with a complex legal history. The age at which a child can be held criminally responsible for…
- Diversion Explained: What Happens When a Child Is Sent Away From CourtA child’s fate can hinge on a program completion deadline, under diversion agreements across the United…
- Family Group Conferences in Youth Restorative JusticeWhen a child or young person in New Zealand is accused of an offence, family group conferencesare a legally…
- Article 37(b) of the Convention on the Rights of the Child: Mandating Detention as a Last ResortThe Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) is one of the most ratified treaties in history, reflecting…
- The Convention on the Rights of the Child: A Practical Decision-Making GuideThe Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) is not just an aspirational charter; it is an active…
Protection desk
All 6 piecesWhat to do, who is obliged to act, and what the paperwork should say — written for the moment you are not sure whether to make the call.
- Is It Illegal to Smack Your Child? What the Law Says NowA clear legal answer plus something to do instead.
- Recognising the Early Warning Signs of Online GroomingA pattern to watch for and a script to open the conversation.
- School Bullying: What Parents Can Demand, and in What OrderA sequence of steps with a paper trail behind them.
- Child Labour Laws: At What Age Can Children Legally Work?A usable test rather than a slogan.
- Children Without Documents: Why Late Birth Registration Is a Rights IssueA door that most readers did not know was locked.
Sport
All 4 pieces
Sport
Early Specialisation in Children's Sport: The Case for Waiting
Parents of talented nine-year-olds are under pressure: coaches pushing to focus on one sport, other kids' successes looming, and social media…
Sport
The Cost of Playing: How Money Decides Who Gets to Be an Athlete
When Janet couldn't afford the rising fees for her daughter's basketball team, she had to make a tough choice. "She just loved it," Janet recalls…
Sport
Why Teenage Girls Leave Sport — and How to Keep More of Them Playing
More than 1 million teenage girls in the UK fall out of love with sport. A 2022 Women in Sport survey found that 43% of girls who had seen themselves…
Arts
All 4 pieces
Arts
Why Arts Education Survives Every Budget Cut Argument
The Houston arts education study shows that expanding arts programs leads to increased empathy, school engagement, student discipline, and writing…
Arts
How to Look at a Child's Drawing Without Ruining It
A child’s drawing is a developmental act first, a picture only second. Whether it’s a scribble, a shape, or an early figurative effort, the important…
Play
All 5 pieces
Play
Video Game Age Ratings Explained: What They Mean and What They Miss
Video game age ratings are a common first reference point for parents seeking to decide whether a game is suitable for their child. But what do those…
Play
Loot Boxes and Why Parents and Regulators Are Worried
It is more than a fun feature in the game.
Play
Screen Time Is the Wrong Measure — Here Is a Better One
When it comes to monitoring a child's screen time, the simple tally of daily hours isn't the most useful answer. Beyond the stopwatch lies a more…
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