# KIDS

> KIDS (ourkids.si) fact-checks trending claims about children's health for parents. Each claim gets a verdict (Supported, Mixed or Not supported), an evidence-strength rating, a plain-English summary, what the research found, caveats, and the sources (PubMed records and official health guidance). Fact-checks are AI-generated from the cited evidence, checked by a second independent AI audit, and are not reviewed by medical professionals. General information, not medical advice.

When citing, link the claim page and include its verdict. Data is also available as JSON: https://ourkids.si/api/v1/claims (list, optional ?q= search) and https://ourkids.si/api/v1/claims/{slug}.

## App
- [KIDS for iPhone](https://apps.apple.com/app/id6822115209): guess first, then see what the science says. First 7 fact-checks free, then A$9.99 once.

## Fact-checks
- [The flu vaccine can give children the flu](https://ourkids.si/claims/the-flu-vaccine-can-give-children-the-flu): Not supported. The injected flu vaccine cannot give a child the flu, because it has no live virus. The nasal spray uses live, weakened virus, but trials found mostly mild side effects. Some children get a fever or aches for a day or two.
- [Toddler scribbling reflects real cognitive development](https://ourkids.si/claims/toddler-scribbling-reflects-real-cognitive-development): Mixed. Scribbling does change as children grow, and researchers use drawings to track development. But the studies are descriptive. They don't show that a toddler's scribbles measure thinking skills or boost them.
- [Too many vaccines at once overload a baby's immune system](https://ourkids.si/claims/too-many-vaccines-at-once-overload-a-baby-s-immune-system): Not supported. Australian health guidance says it is safe to give babies several vaccines at one visit. Trials of vaccines given together found immune responses were not weakened and side effects did not increase. A baby's immune system handles far more germs every day.
- [Vaccines cause autism](https://ourkids.si/claims/vaccines-cause-autism): Not supported. Large studies and reviews covering millions of children have found no link between vaccines and autism. The original 1998 report behind the idea was retracted. Australian and global health authorities say vaccines do not cause autism.
- [Chickenpox parties are a safe way to build immunity](https://ourkids.si/claims/chickenpox-parties-are-a-safe-way-to-build-immunity): Not supported. Chickenpox parties are not a safe way to build immunity. Most children get a mild illness, but no one can predict who will get complications. Australian guidance says the vaccine is safe and effective, so there is no need to take that risk.
- [Green snot means a child needs antibiotics](https://ourkids.si/claims/green-snot-means-a-child-needs-antibiotics): Not supported. Green or yellow snot alone does not mean a child needs antibiotics. Most colds and sinus infections are viral. Doctors look at how long symptoms last, whether they worsen, and how high the fever is.
- [Alternating paracetamol and ibuprofen is better for fevers](https://ourkids.si/claims/alternating-paracetamol-and-ibuprofen-is-better-for-fevers): Mixed. Using both medicines can bring a temperature down more than paracetamol alone, at least for the first few hours. But it hasn't been shown to make children feel better, and it's easier to get the doses wrong.
- [Newborn screening prevents disability in babies](https://ourkids.si/claims/newborn-screening-prevents-disability-in-babies): Supported. For conditions like phenylketonuria (PKU), newborn screening lets treatment start early and prevents most intellectual disability. It works only for the conditions tested, and some babies still have long-term problems.
- [A high fever can cause brain damage in children](https://ourkids.si/claims/a-high-fever-can-cause-brain-damage-in-children): Mixed. Ordinary fevers, including those that trigger febrile seizures, do not cause brain damage. Guidance says very extreme temperatures can damage the brain, and fever may be harmful in children with certain rare conditions.
- [Honey soothes children's coughs](https://ourkids.si/claims/honey-soothes-children-s-coughs): Supported. Honey probably eases coughs from colds in children over 12 months, mostly by reducing cough and helping sleep for a few nights. The trials are small and of modest quality, but the results point the same way.
- [Antibiotics help children's ear infections get better faster](https://ourkids.si/claims/antibiotics-help-children-s-ear-infections-get-better-faster): Mixed. Antibiotics can help in some ear infections, especially severe ones and in very young children. Many mild infections settle on their own, and antibiotics carry side effects, so they are not needed for every child.
- [Gripe water relieves colic](https://ourkids.si/claims/gripe-water-relieves-colic): Not supported. No good evidence shows gripe water eases colic. Australian health guidance says there is no evidence it improves colic and advises against medications for unsettled babies because benefits are unproven and harm is possible.
- [Ice cream and sugary drinks cause tooth decay faster than other foods](https://ourkids.si/claims/ice-cream-and-sugary-drinks-cause-tooth-decay-faster-than-ot): Mixed. Sugar is a main cause of tooth decay, and sugary drinks are a clear culprit. But the research on hand doesn't compare ice cream with other foods or measure how fast decay develops, so the 'faster' part of the claim is untested.
- [Probiotics prevent colic in babies](https://ourkids.si/claims/probiotics-prevent-colic-in-babies): Not supported. Giving healthy newborns probiotics has not been shown to stop colic from starting. A Cochrane review found little or no difference in how many babies got colic. Probiotics may shorten crying in babies who already have colic, especially breastfed babies.
- [Picky eating in toddlers means a nutrient deficiency](https://ourkids.si/claims/picky-eating-in-toddlers-means-a-nutrient-deficiency): Not supported. Picky eating is normal in toddlers and does not on its own mean a nutrient deficiency. Deficiencies show up mainly in severe, extreme restriction, such as ARFID, and in some children with autism.
- [Kids need vitamin supplements to stay healthy](https://ourkids.si/claims/kids-need-vitamin-supplements-to-stay-healthy): Not supported. Most healthy kids who eat a varied diet don't need vitamin supplements. Some children do need them, such as newborns (vitamin K) or those with a deficiency, a medical condition or a restricted diet.
- [Organic food is healthier for children](https://ourkids.si/claims/organic-food-is-healthier-for-children): Mixed. Organic diets lower pesticide traces in children's urine. But studies haven't shown that this makes children healthier, and the research on real health outcomes is limited.
- [Toddlers need cow's milk to grow strong bones](https://ourkids.si/claims/toddlers-need-cow-s-milk-to-grow-strong-bones): Mixed. Toddlers need calcium for strong bones, and dairy is a good source. But cow's milk itself isn't essential. Other foods and calcium-enriched alternatives can fill the gap, and trial evidence on milk and bones in young children is limited.
- [GLP-1 medicines can treat obesity in some children.](https://ourkids.si/claims/glp-1-medicines-can-treat-obesity-in-some-children): Supported. Trials in adolescents and in children aged 6 to under 12 found GLP-1 medicines led to greater BMI reductions than placebo. They are an option for some children with obesity, alongside lifestyle support, not a first-line fix for every child.
- [Too much screen time hurts kids' grades and behaviour.](https://ourkids.si/claims/too-much-screen-time-hurts-kids-grades-and-behaviour): Mixed. Studies link more screen time with poorer school-related outcomes, attention and mental health. But most research shows association, not proof that screens cause the problems. Less is known about grades and behaviour specifically.
- [Maternal flu during pregnancy causes neuropsychiatric disorders in children.](https://ourkids.si/claims/maternal-flu-during-pregnancy-causes-neuropsychiatric-disord): Mixed. Some studies link flu in pregnancy with a higher chance of psychosis in adult children, but the findings conflict and don't prove cause. The best evidence is on schizophrenia, not on a broad range of childhood disorders.
- [Childhood chickenpox vaccine reduces later shingles risk.](https://ourkids.si/claims/childhood-chickenpox-vaccine-reduces-later-shingles-risk): Supported. Vaccinated children appear less likely to get shingles than children who catch wild chickenpox. Shingles can still happen after the vaccine, though, and the effect of widespread vaccination on shingles in adults is still debated.
- [Walking more reduces teenagers' mental health problems.](https://ourkids.si/claims/walking-more-reduces-teenagers-mental-health-problems): Mixed. Being active is linked to better mental health in young people, and walking helps adults. But walking itself has hardly been tested in teenagers, so we can't say that walking more reduces their mental health problems.
- [Fruit juice is a healthy drink for toddlers](https://ourkids.si/claims/fruit-juice-is-a-healthy-drink-for-toddlers): Not supported. Juice isn't a healthy staple for toddlers. Paediatric guidance says it offers no nutritional benefit over whole fruit and should be limited. A small amount with a meal is considered reasonable, but water, milk and whole fruit are better choices.
- [Drinking milk increases mucus when kids have a cold](https://ourkids.si/claims/drinking-milk-increases-mucus-when-kids-have-a-cold): Not supported. Milk does not appear to make the body produce more mucus during a cold. Milk can leave a thick, coated feeling in the throat, but that comes from its texture. Australian guidance doesn't recommend cutting out milk for colds.
- [Carrots improve children's eyesight](https://ourkids.si/claims/carrots-improve-children-s-eyesight): Mixed. Carrots are good for eyes because the body turns their beta-carotene into vitamin A, which eyes need. But the guidance talks about keeping eyes healthy, not sharper vision. A lack of vitamin A can harm sight.
- [Dummies reduce the risk of SIDS](https://ourkids.si/claims/dummies-reduce-the-risk-of-sids): Mixed. Babies who use a dummy for sleep have a lower rate of SIDS in observational studies, and Australian and US guidance backs it. But no randomised trial has tested it, so cause and effect is unproven.
- [Eating chocolate causes acne in teenagers](https://ourkids.si/claims/eating-chocolate-causes-acne-in-teenagers): Mixed. Chocolate is not a proven cause of acne. Australian guidance says diet rarely causes it, but a small trial and a large survey hint chocolate may make acne worse in some people.
- [Baby walkers help babies learn to walk sooner](https://ourkids.si/claims/baby-walkers-help-babies-learn-to-walk-sooner): Not supported. Baby walkers do not help babies walk sooner. Two small trials in twins found no benefit, and paediatric and Australian guidance say walkers can delay development and cause injuries. Parents are advised not to use them.
- [Breastfed babies have higher IQs](https://ourkids.si/claims/breastfed-babies-have-higher-iqs): Mixed. Breastfed children score a few IQ points higher on average, but the gap shrinks when mothers' own IQ is taken into account. The studies are mostly observational, so breastfeeding may not be the only reason for the difference.
- [Eating healthy foods in pregnancy improves your baby's health](https://ourkids.si/claims/eating-healthy-foods-in-pregnancy-improves-your-babys-health): Supported. Australian guidance and several reviews say a healthy, varied diet in pregnancy supports a baby's health and development. Much of the research is observational, so it shows a link rather than proof for each food.
- [Picking up a crying baby too often spoils them](https://ourkids.si/claims/picking-up-a-crying-baby-too-often-spoils-them): Not supported. Health guidance says you cannot spoil a young baby with attention. Crying is how babies ask for comfort and care. Few long-term studies have tested the question directly, but nothing in the research backs the spoiling idea.
- [Babies should sleep on their backs to reduce SIDS risk](https://ourkids.si/claims/babies-should-sleep-on-their-backs-to-reduce-sids-risk): Supported. Putting babies to sleep on their backs lowers the risk of SIDS. Australian health guidance and international reviews agree. Back sleeping is one part of a wider set of safe sleep steps.
- [Waking a sleepwalking child is dangerous](https://ourkids.si/claims/waking-a-sleepwalking-child-is-dangerous): Mixed. Health guidance says it's best not to wake a sleepwalking child, mainly because they may be confused, scared or upset. Nothing suggests waking them causes lasting harm, so 'dangerous' overstates it.
- [Putting cereal in a baby's bottle helps them sleep through the night](https://ourkids.si/claims/putting-cereal-in-a-baby-s-bottle-helps-them-sleep-through-t): Not supported. Cereal in the bottle does not help babies sleep longer. Two randomised trials found no real difference in sleep, and official guidance says it won't work and may raise choking risk.
- [Unsafe sleep environments can cause infant deaths](https://ourkids.si/claims/unsafe-sleep-environments-can-cause-infant-deaths): Supported. Unsafe sleep environments are a well-established cause of infant deaths, through suffocation and as a trigger for sudden infant death in vulnerable babies. Safe sleep advice has sharply cut deaths. Not every sudden infant death can be explained.
- [Raw milk is healthier for kids than pasteurised milk](https://ourkids.si/claims/raw-milk): Not supported. Raw milk has not been shown to be healthier for kids. Health guidance says pasteurised milk gives the same benefits without the risk of serious infections, and young children are among those most at risk from raw milk.
- [Screen time before age 2 delays language development](https://ourkids.si/claims/screens-under-two): Mixed. Many reviews link early screen use to slower language, and health guidance says under-2s don't need screens. But the findings mostly describe links, and only one small trial has tested cutting screens. Content and co-viewing appear to matter.
- [Melatonin gummies are a safe sleep aid for kids](https://ourkids.si/claims/melatonin-gummies): Not supported. Melatonin gummies are not a proven safe sleep aid for kids. Australian regulators say melatonin is prescription-only for children, and tested gummies had wildly inaccurate doses. Long-term safety in children is still unclear.
- [Sugar makes kids hyperactive](https://ourkids.si/claims/sugar-hyperactivity): Not supported. Blinded trials found sugar does not change children's behaviour. A trial also showed parents' expectations can shape how they rate their child's behaviour. Diets high in sugar are linked to ADHD symptoms in observational studies, but that doesn't show sugar causes hyperactivity.
- [Fluoride in tap water lowers children’s IQ](https://ourkids.si/claims/fluoride-iq): Mixed. Higher fluoride levels, mostly well above those in Australian tap water, are linked to lower IQ in children. Nothing shows that fluoride at current Australian levels does this. The studies show association, not proven cause.
- [Giving babies peanut early helps prevent peanut allergy](https://ourkids.si/claims/early-peanut): Supported. Trials show that giving babies peanut in the first year, especially high-risk babies, cuts the chance of peanut allergy. Australian guidance recommends introducing peanut soon after starting solids, in a safe form, and keeping it in the diet.
- [Going out with wet hair makes kids catch a cold](https://ourkids.si/claims/going-out-with-wet-hair-makes-kids-catch-a-cold): Not supported. Colds are caused by viruses, not by wet hair. Australian health guidance says directly that going out with wet hair or bare feet does not cause a cold. The guidance is clear, but no trials on wet hair were found.
- [Halloween costumes can be unsafe for children](https://ourkids.si/claims/halloween-costumes-can-be-unsafe-for-children): Supported. Child health guidance is consistent that costumes can cause harm. Risks include tripping, poor vision, flammable fabric, skin reactions and decorative contact lenses. Few studies have measured costume injuries directly, so how often it happens is unclear.
- [Chatbots like ChatGPT are unsafe for children to use](https://ourkids.si/claims/chatbots-like-chatgpt-are-unsafe-for-children-to-use): Mixed. Child health guidance warns that chatbots can give kids false, harmful or sexual content, especially companion bots. The research on young people's use of chatbots is small and mostly about mental health apps. Risk depends on the bot, the child's age and how it's used.
- [Reading in dim light ruins children's eyesight](https://ourkids.si/claims/reading-in-dim-light-ruins-children-s-eyesight): Not supported. Reading in dim light has not been shown to ruin eyesight. It may make eyes feel tired. Some studies link dim light and lots of close-up work to short-sightedness, but they show a link, not proof of cause.
- [Extreme heat threatens pregnant women and newborns](https://ourkids.si/claims/extreme-heat-threatens-pregnant-women-and-newborns): Supported. Large reviews link hot weather in pregnancy to more preterm births and stillbirths. Health guidance lists pregnant women, babies and young children as more at risk in extreme heat. The evidence on newborns is thinner, and the studies are mostly observational.
- [Teething causes fever in babies](https://ourkids.si/claims/teething-causes-fever-in-babies): Not supported. Australian and US child health guidance says teething does not cause fever. Research points to gum irritation, fussiness and drooling as the common signs. A fever is better treated as a sign of illness, not teething.
- [Vaccinating in pregnancy protects babies from RSV](https://ourkids.si/claims/vaccinating-in-pregnancy-protects-babies-from-rsv): Supported. The RSV vaccine given in pregnancy lowers the risk of severe RSV illness in young babies. Large trials found around 70% protection against severe illness in the first 6 months. The protection depends on the right vaccine and on timing.
- [Screens are not the problem for children's mental health](https://ourkids.si/claims/screens-are-not-the-problem-for-childrens-mental-health): Not supported. The research does not back the claim that screens are not a problem. Most studies link more screen time with worse mental health in young people, though the type of screen use matters and the results are not all the same.
- [Children with sports pain should stop playing until checked](https://ourkids.si/claims/children-with-sports-pain-should-stop-playing-until-checked): Supported. Health guidance agrees children should stop when sport hurts and get it checked if it is more than minor. Trials suggest that once an injury is diagnosed, a doctor may prefer active rehab or light activity over long rest.
- [Interactive screen time causes brain damage in young children](https://ourkids.si/claims/interactive-screen-time-causes-brain-damage-in-young-childre): Not supported. No evidence shows interactive screen time damages young children's brains. Research finds links between lots of screen time and poorer language, attention and sleep, but these are associations. Interactive, educational use may even help some skills.
- [Horse riding therapy reduces hyperactivity in autistic children](https://ourkids.si/claims/horse-riding-therapy-reduces-hyperactivity-in-autistic-child): Mixed. A 2015 randomised trial and a 2023 meta-analysis found less hyperactivity after horse riding programs in autistic children. But reviews rate the wider evidence as limited and low in quality, so the benefit is promising rather than proven.
- [Positive parenting improves children's mental health](https://ourkids.si/claims/positive-parenting-improves-childrens-mental-health): Supported. Warm, responsive parenting without physical punishment is linked to better social and emotional development in children. The evidence is strongest for babies and young children, and some of it is preliminary.
- [Social media and smartphones harm children's mental health](https://ourkids.si/claims/social-media-and-smartphones-harm-childrens-mental-health): Mixed. Studies link heavier social media use with more depression, anxiety and poor sleep in young people. But the links are mostly small and based on surveys, so they don't prove harm. How a child uses it seems to matter more than screen time alone.
- [More screen time improves teenagers' cognitive processing](https://ourkids.si/claims/more-screen-time-improves-teenagers-cognitive-processing): Not supported. The evidence does not show that more screen time improves teenagers' thinking skills. Reviews link heavy screen use with weak signs of poorer cognitive development and lower education outcomes. Some structured educational apps may help, but that is not the same as more screen time.
- [Public pre-K improves children's grades through high school](https://ourkids.si/claims/public-pre-k-improves-childrens-grades-through-high-school): Mixed. Pre-K seems to help children's school results in the early primary years. Evidence that it lifts grades all the way through high school is thin and mixed, and the longer-term effects look weaker.
- [Childhood trauma leaves lasting changes in children's brains](https://ourkids.si/claims/childhood-trauma-leaves-lasting-changes-in-childrens-brains): Mixed. Research links childhood trauma to differences in brain structure and development. But much of it is observational, it can't show how long the changes last, and children respond very differently. Some changes may be reversible with support.
- [CMV in pregnancy can cause lifelong disabilities in babies](https://ourkids.si/claims/cmv-in-pregnancy-can-cause-lifelong-disabilities-in-babies): Supported. CMV passed from mother to baby during pregnancy can cause lasting problems such as hearing loss and intellectual disability. Most infected babies are born well, so lasting harm is a real but minority risk.
- [Everyday chemicals in the body cause autism in children](https://ourkids.si/claims/everyday-chemicals-in-the-body-cause-autism-in-children): Mixed. Some chemical exposures in pregnancy are linked to higher rates of autism or autism traits. But these studies show links, not proof of cause. Health guidance says the main causes of autism are not known, and genes and environment both seem to play a part.
- [Sugar in early childhood causes lasting health harm](https://ourkids.si/claims/sugar-in-early-childhood-causes-lasting-health-harm): Mixed. Evidence points to early sugar, especially in drinks, raising later risks like obesity and liver disease. But most studies are observational, so they can't prove sugar alone causes lasting harm.
- [Strollers can overheat babies in hot weather](https://ourkids.si/claims/strollers-can-overheat-babies-in-hot-weather): Supported. Strollers can get hot inside in hot weather, especially when covered with dry cloth. A 2023 field study and Australian safe sleep guidance support this, though the study measured the stroller, not babies.
- [Cutting sugary drinks reduces childhood obesity](https://ourkids.si/claims/cutting-sugary-drinks-reduces-childhood-obesity): Mixed. Kids who drink more sugary drinks tend to have higher body weight, and Australian health advice is to limit them. But most studies only show a link, so cutting them is not proven on its own to reduce childhood obesity.
- [A healthy pregnancy diet reduces infant colic and eczema](https://ourkids.si/claims/a-healthy-pregnancy-diet-reduces-infant-colic-and-eczema): Mixed. A healthy diet in pregnancy is recommended, but the evidence that it prevents eczema is limited and mixed. None of the evidence shows that a pregnancy diet reduces colic.
- [Snow plough parenting harms children's development](https://ourkids.si/claims/snow-plough-parenting-harms-childrens-development): Mixed. Overprotective or over-involved parenting is linked to more anxiety and other emotional problems, mostly in teens and young adults. But the studies can't show it causes harm, and most don't measure broader child development.
- [Vitamin D in infancy prevents childhood food allergy](https://ourkids.si/claims/vitamin-d-in-infancy-prevents-childhood-food-allergy): Not supported. Trials have not shown that vitamin D in infancy prevents food allergy. Higher doses did not reduce allergy, and some trials hinted at more milk or food allergy. Low vitamin D is linked to food allergy, but that does not show it causes it.
- [Apologising to kids makes parents look weak](https://ourkids.si/claims/apologising-to-kids-makes-parents-look-weak): Not supported. One 2025 study of adolescents found no clear link between parents apologising and losing authority. Well-phrased apologies were linked to better relationships. Apologising during a painful medical procedure is a different situation, and it is linked to more distress.

## Topics
- [Baby and kids’ sleep myths, fact-checked](https://ourkids.si/topics/sleep)
- [Kids’ nutrition myths, fact-checked](https://ourkids.si/topics/nutrition)
- [Food allergy and eczema myths for kids, fact-checked](https://ourkids.si/topics/allergies)
- [Screen time myths for kids, fact-checked](https://ourkids.si/topics/screens)
- [Childhood vaccine myths, fact-checked](https://ourkids.si/topics/vaccines)
- [Kids’ illness and fever myths, fact-checked](https://ourkids.si/topics/illness)
- [Children’s medicine myths, fact-checked](https://ourkids.si/topics/medicines)
- [Child development myths, fact-checked](https://ourkids.si/topics/development)
- [Parenting and behaviour myths, fact-checked](https://ourkids.si/topics/behaviour)
- [Kids’ and teens’ mental health claims, fact-checked](https://ourkids.si/topics/mental-health)
- [Child safety myths, fact-checked](https://ourkids.si/topics/safety)
- [Pregnancy myths, fact-checked](https://ourkids.si/topics/pregnancy)
- [Fluoride and drinking water claims for kids, fact-checked](https://ourkids.si/topics/water)
- [Kids’ skin, eczema and sun safety myths, fact-checked](https://ourkids.si/topics/skin)

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