Rowe & Associates, Child & Family Psychology

20/11/2025

FRIDAY FACT CHECK: The Australian Social Media Ban for under 16 years old starts 10 December 2025. This is your chance to lead the transition like a confident parent.

For Australian parents, the new law is a gift. It removes the emotional labour of being the sole enforcer. Now, our focus shifts to coaching our children through a government-mandated change. The worst thing you can do is wait for the deadline and allow your child to react with panic or anger when their account is deactivated. Proactive communication is your power.

This weekend, start Phase 1: Validation and Redirection. Acknowledge their disappointment, but immediately pivot to the gain: more time for sport, creativity, deep connections, and better mental health. Frame the law as a universal safety measure, a sensible decision made by adults to protect developing minds. This prevents them from adopting the "victim" role often encouraged by a hyper-therapeutic culture.

Have a non-judgmental, structured discussion this weekend. Your opening line: "This new law is tough, but it's designed to protect your peace of mind. Let’s figure out a new, healthier way to connect." What's the first connection strategy you'll discuss?

19/11/2025

AUSTRALIA LAW ALERT: What the Under-16 Social Media Ban Means for Your Family

THE BAN IS YOUR BREAK: The Australian Government is setting the age limit at 16 (Dec 2025). This takes the pressure off YOU and makes it a non-negotiable boundary.

The new minimum age framework, effective 10th December 2025, is a long-overdue safety net. The government is making platforms responsible for enforcement, which means the conversation with your child shifts from "Mum/Dad is mean" to "This is the law, and we’re going to navigate it together." This is a powerful tool to shield your children during the years when they are most vulnerable to online comparison, sexualisation, and cyberbullying.

The reality is that platforms are designed to be addictive. Allowing children access prematurely impedes their ability to develop emotional regulation and internal self-worth. This law is an opportunity for a mandatory mental health intervention. We must use the time between now and December 2025 to coach our children, not just police them.

Don't wait until 2026. Start framing the conversation tonight: "The government has finally listened to psychologists. This law is being enforced to protect your mental health." What’s your biggest fear about the transition? Let’s share practical solutions in the comments.

17/11/2025

Is your child's phone rewiring their brain for anxiety? We need to talk about the data, not the drama. The biggest parenting intervention starts tonight. 👇

Let's stop pretending the 'gram is harmless. The evidence is clear: heavy social media use during key developmental years is creating an anxious, emotionally fragile generation. Australian data shows nearly two in five (38%) of young people aged 15-19 spend three hours or more on social media daily.

his high usage has a strong relationship with increased psychological distress and reduced optimism for the future. This isn't coincidence; it’s a direct consequence of tying a young, developing sense of self-worth to fluctuating digital validation. The constant chase for dopamine from notifications hijacks the adolescent brain's reward centre, impairing their ability to find satisfaction in real-world effort.

As parents, we are the guardians of our children's psychological architecture. Delaying access until 16 is about protecting their neurological foundation. It's not about being 'anti-tech'; it's about being pro-sanity. We must enforce boundaries that foster resilience and emotional robustness, not dependency on a digital feed.
Stop the scroll tonight.

Implement a "Tech-Free Family Hour"—not as punishment, but as a deliberate practice of reconnecting. This is step one to restoring calm. Tell us, what non-digital activity will you do together tonight?

17/11/2025

SHIELD YOUR CHILD: Taking away the apps isn't enough. We must teach them digital literacy - the essential critical thinking skill to navigate a world full of filters and fake news. Swipe to see how to spot the BS. 💡

Our job is to raise thoughtful, critical adults, not sheltered, easily-manipulated victims. Digital literacy is their lifelong shield. Even if they are off the major platforms, they will encounter influencers, ads, and filtered content. Teach them to question everything:

Filters vs. Reality: Explicitly show examples of heavy filtering and explain that most images online are performance, not reality.

Follow the Money: Teach them to spot sponsored content and advertising. If they aren't paying for the product, they are the product.

The Algorithm: Explain that the feed is not a reflection of the real world but a deliberate loop designed to maximise engagement and profit - nothing more.

When children understand the mechanics of social media, they gain cognitive distance and can reject the content instead of internalizing it.

Watch a popular YouTube clip or look at an influencer's page with your child.

Ask them: "What is this account selling, and why is this person only showing the highlight reel?" Practice critical thinking daily.

02/10/2025

29/08/2025

School reports aren’t enough

You don’t need to wait for a school to “flag” something. If your gut says something’s off with your child’s attention, learning, or behaviour—it’s time to get clarity. We have appointments available now with expert psychologists.

Don’t wait for permission—book your child’s assessment today and get the answers you’ve been looking for.

28/08/2025

"Connection is the foundation. Correction comes next."
— Rowe & Associates

Before children can take guidance, they need to feel grounded in relationship.
Discipline without connection feels like rejection.

But when kids feel safe, seen, and understood — they’re far more open to redirection and growth.
Start with relationship. The rest will follow.

27/08/2025

We only do assessments that are worth doing

A half-baked report won’t help you. At Rowe & Associates, we follow best-practice psychological standards, no quick-fix, no generic templates. Just thoughtful, well-formulated assessments that give you a clear path forward.

Ready for an assessment that’s truly worth it? Book now and discover the clarity and direction your family needs.

26/08/2025

"We’re not raising children. We’re raising future adults. Every limit you set today is a lesson for tomorrow."
— Rowe & Associates

Boundaries aren’t just for the moment — they’re shaping who our kids become.
Each “no,” each limit, each calm and clear expectation teaches responsibility, respect, and resilience.
It’s not about control. It’s about preparing them for life beyond childhood.
Parent today with tomorrow in mind.

25/08/2025

It’s never “too early” to assess

Waiting until your child “fails” isn’t the solution. If they’re struggling with focus, learning, memory, or mood - act now. Our team of experienced psychologists is ready to provide cognitive, academic, and behavioural assessments with no waitlist.

👉 Don’t let another day pass in uncertainty: book your child’s assessment now and set them on the path to success.

24/08/2025

"Before you rush to fix a child’s behaviour, ask: what does this child need to feel seen, safe, and secure?"
— Clare Rowe

Not all behaviour needs correcting — some of it needs understanding.
When we pause to consider the need behind the behaviour, we shift from control to connection.
From fixing to supporting.
Children don’t just want to behave — they want to feel safe. Start there.

21/08/2025

Think your child might have ADHD?

Not all fidgety kids have ADHD - and not all kids with ADHD are hyperactive. Our psychologists know how to differentiate between what’s developmentally normal and what needs attention. If you’re unsure, we’ll help you get clarity, with a full diagnostic picture, not a label-by-numbers.

Ready for clarity, not confusion? Book your child’s full diagnostic assessment today and unlock the understanding they deserve.