Thank you for being part of the Murdoch Children's Research Institute (MCRI) online community. We welcome your engagement and value respectful, constructive conversations. By interacting with our social media channels, you agree to follow these guidelines to help us maintain a safe and inclusive space for everyone. If you need medical advice, please consult a medical professional. Or, in the event of an emergency, call 000 or the emergency services where you are. Respectful Engagement
• We encourage open dialogue and welcome diverse perspectives. Please express your views respectfully and considerately
• Treat others with kindness and courtesy. Personal attacks, bullying, harassment, racism, hate speech, or discriminatory remarks will not be tolerated
• Comments that are rude, defamatory, fraudulent, misleading, or unlawful will be removed (including any comments that infringe on the intellectual property rights of others)
• Users who repeatedly violate our community standards (such as posting inappropriate, harmful, or misleading content) may be blocked from engaging further on our platforms
• Our moderation decisions are guided by our commitment to scientific integrity, respectful dialogue, and public safety
Content Responsibility
• You are solely responsible for the content you post, including your username and any personal information you share.
• MCRI is not responsible for, does not endorse, and disclaims all liability for any content posted by users on its social media platforms. The presence of such content, even if not removed, does not imply MCRI’s agreement or support. Comments and posts by third parties do not necessarily reflect the views of MCRI, its staff, or affiliates.
• We are committed to sharing evidence-based content grounded in scientific integrity. To maintain a respectful and trustworthy space, we reserve the right to remove comments that contain scientific misinformation or disinformation
• We understand that people may hold strong personal beliefs and values. However, our team determines what qualifies as misinformation based on current scientific consensus and global health expertise. While we welcome diverse perspectives, we will moderate comments that contradict these standards
• Do not impersonate MCRI, its employees, researchers, or stakeholders
• Posts and comments that misrepresent MCRI or its people may be removed at our discretion
• By engaging with MCRI’s social media channels, you agree that MCRI owns and may use, adapt, or share any ideas, concepts, techniques, words, or images you post for any purpose, without limitation or compensation.
• Any content submitted by MCRI or any of its personnel to MCRI’s social media channels is not intended to replace professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment from a qualified health care professional.
• Any content submitted by MCRI or any of its personnel to MCRI’s social media channels reflects the inherent uncertainties associated with advanced scientific, medical and technical research. Language and Conduct
• Please use polite and appropriate language suitable for all audiences
• Comments containing any level of profanity will be automatically removed
• Trolling, spamming, or deliberately disrupting discussions is not permitted
Moderation and Replies
• We moderate our accounts to ensure a safe and respectful environment. Posts may be hidden or deleted at our discretion
• We respond to comments and messages during business hours: Monday to Friday, 9 am – 5 pm AEST, unless otherwise stated
• Replies are provided at our discretion and may not be issued for every comment
Advertising and External Links
• Unauthorised advertisements, promotions, or spam will be removed
• The appearance of external links or third-party comments does not imply endorsement by MCRI
Participation Guidelines
• By participating, you acknowledge and accept these guidelines
• You engage at your own risk and take personal responsibility for your interactions
• Please keep in mind that your interactions on our platforms are publicly visible. For your own privacy and safety, we encourage you to think carefully before sharing personal medical details or other sensitive information linked to your name
• We also recommend avoiding the disclosure of private information such as your location, financial details, or anything else you wouldn’t want widely accessible online. Your wellbeing and privacy matter to us, and we want to ensure this space remains safe and respectful for everyone
• Social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn are operated by third parties and governed by their own terms and conditions. By using these platforms, you acknowledge and accept those terms. We appreciate your support and look forward to meaningful conversations that reflect our values of curiosity, courage and integrity.
***
Murdoch Children's Research Institute (MCRI) is Australia's largest child health research institute and is ranked among the top three globally for research quality and impact. Our team of 1,800+ researchers works across over 150 common and rare diseases and conditions affecting children and adolescents. From allergies and asthma, diabetes and mental health issues to cancer and rare genetic disorders, we are relentless in our pursuit to transform child health through research and give all children the opportunity to live a healthy and fulfilled life. Our story began in 1986, when world-leading philanthropist Dame Elisabeth Murdoch and genetics pioneer Professor David Danks imagined a better future for our children and established the original Murdoch Institute for Research in Birth Defects. Since then, MCRI has grown from a genetics research institute to a global leader in child health. Our work also goes beyond research. MCRI is one of the only research institutes in Australia to offer genetic testing via our subsidiary, the Victorian Clinic of Genetic Services (VCGS), to find answers for families of children with previously undiagnosed conditions. Operating in a unique model with The Royal Children's Hospital and the University of Melbourne, MCRI is part of a great circle of healthcare and discovery – helping transform child health from the laboratories to clinics and out into communities.
