Dr Catherine Archer’s early research examined the way parents as social media influencers were monetising their work, and digitising their children, childhood and family life in new ways. As an Associate Investigator at Edith Cowan University, Catherine will work with other researchers in fields related to social media and communication, in particular looking at the impact of social media influencers on children. She will also focus on the effects of commercial interests on children’s digital lives. Catherine hopes to help parents and children understand the commercial interests behind many digital experiences, and support children’s rights, and families’ digital literacy and agency by providing current and research-informed advice.

Catherine is a member of Ngala’s Research Network and has worked with Ngala on research related to family mobile technology use. Ngala is a not-for-profit organisation based in Western Australia and its mission is to support parents, families and communities to enhance the well-being and development of children and young people. She has conducted research with Playgroup WA, funded by St John of God Health Care, on mothers’ use of social media. Catherine is working with not-for-profit organisation the Valuing Children Initiative on a research project (with other academics at WA universities) to discover Australians’ attitude towards children. She is a regular commentator in mainstream media on issues relevant to social media.

Earliest digital memory
I remember being at a university open day as a child and being able to ask a computer a question that it would answer. An early version of ChatGPT3?