Steven Christou
Journalist, director and multimedia storyteller based in Naarm/Melbourne
Highlights:
Creative Arts Honours Degree with High Distinction (2023)
Currently undertaking Bloomberg mentorship
Appeared on Triple R 102.7FM radio (2026)
Multimedia piece At Arm’s Length premiered at Perth Institute of Contemporary Arts 2024 Hatched Exhibition
Worked as professional actor for seven years: most notable role in Single, Out TV series since 2021
Writer and director of ‘This Thursday’ short film slated for 2026 release
(Photo by Berke Citak on Unsplash)
Teens are consuming less news because of the government’s under-16s social media ban
4/06/26
by Steven Christou
A new study suggests Australians between the ages 10 and 17 are consuming less news because of the government’s under-16s social media ban.
“I think we need to recognise the unintended impacts of the ban,” says Professor Tanya Notley, one of three authors of the study published by Western Sydney University on May 18.
Notley and her research team have been researching the news engagement of young people since 2017. Over time, teens have increasingly used social media for news.
This trend abruptly changed when the Australian government implemented its under-16s social media ban in late 2025.
Despite the government’s excitement, only 38% of teens' social media use has been impacted by the ban. Yet over half of them report having less access to news.
“It’s not working,” she says. “They’re not off the platforms that have been banned, but for one quarter, who are significantly impacted by the ban… they say they’re getting much less news.”
The ban has not curbed teen social media use and has been unintentionally effective in limiting their news consumption.
“51%, over half, say that they’re getting less news now because of the social media ban.”
Notley says teenagers who wish to engage with the democratic process are at risk of being cut-off by the social media ban.
“News engagement is critical to civic engagement because you need to feel informed about what’s happening in order to take action on it.”
47% of teens reported to having less access to news of major world news and events due to the ban.
Notley’s research also shows that for young people family is the most trusted source of news. This means solutions must also target older demographics.
For young Australians, Notley and her team suggest media literacy in the Australian curriculum and the need for quality news resources, such as the ABC’s BTN (behind the news).
Notley noted the importance of news engagement as an empowering force for young people.
“Most young Australians say that news, engaging with news, makes them feel knowledgeable and many say it makes them more capable to take action on the issues that matter to them.”
Along with providing young people with robust media literacy, Notley says this issue is society-wide and requires a collective societal response.
“We really need to be having policy and responses to address that.”
Victorian educators strike for fairer wages
25/3/26
by Steven Christou
More than 30,000 Victorian teachers and education staff have gone on strike for the first time in over 13 years in a bid for higher wages and better working conditions.
Highlighting excessive workloads, unpaid labour and a cost of living that continually outpaces wages, protesters congregated at Trades Hall and proceeded to walk to state parliament, chanting and cheering.
The rally was led by President of the Australian Education Union (AEU) Victorian branch, Justin Mullaly. He said the strike was inevitable.
“We’ve got a shortage of teachers... we’ve got a shortage because there’s poor rates of pay,” he said. “All we want is a fair deal.”
The union has rejected the government’s offer of a 17 per cent pay increase over the next four years, asking for a 35 per cent increase over the same period.
Victorian Premier Jacinta Allen earlier in the week disparaged the strike, citing strain on parenting as students are forced to stay home.
“It’s unfortunate that parents cop the brunt of that, in some situations, but that’s on the government,” Mullaly said.
He said the strike is about more than just fair pay for Victorian educators.
“They want to be respected.”
(Photo by Steven Christou)
Radio Work
Triple R and Current Affairs Program
Current Affairs Sport Program
Directorial Work
Two short films written and directed by Steven Christou
Published creative works
‘HOLIDAY END OF DAYS!’
Poem published in the popular online journal NOWHERE GIRL COLLECTIVE (2024)
You’ll need some time where
we’re going. Pack
some in your carry-on.
The trip is short and heavy
like my elderly Greek relatives—
feta is irresistible if you have the right genes. I didn’t
get those ones.
Uber driver will stare at you,
I will slit their throat because that’s
what you’d want, yes, yes?
Do not scream if you see a
spider—
I can’t ignore the gross unintelligence
oozing from a move like that. It will blow up
our deal, relationship.
We will walk the pier and applaud
when we see a proposal, you will
applaud more enthusiastically than me you
have to.
Oh dear, when will that be us.
So good. When the rain falls scentless.
My stomach will often make judgement
calls, despite our frustration and
indignance. Let him feel
strong and sharp.
If you are anointed by others, do
not accept. Make a bold refusal. This
is not the time. I am
so devoted to you—
I am so fucking devoted to you.
What are you doing
with that. They cannot hear you,
my dear lovely sweetheart.
‘To Our Summer Nights’
Published in The Footy Almanac (2023)
‘i will now put my faith in others’
Poem published in Sour Cherry Mag (2023)
Acting highlights
Major TV commercial work
At Arm’s Length
In 2024 Steven created a live multimedia work that underscored his ability to deftly bounce and excel between mediums.
At Arm’s Length was selected to premiere at the Perth Institute of Contemporary Arts 2024 Hatched Exhibition.
HOUSE PARABLE
A short video poem. Framed, directed, styled and performed by Steven, showing keen attention to aesthetic detail and an artistic flexibility.
Photography
This style aims to shed a light on life’s mundanities while illustrating the its inherent absurdities.
(Images from a story currently being written about the complexities of the modern workforce for young Australians)
