Entertainment
UK, France consider social media ban for youths
Countries including France and Britain are considering following Australia’s lead by banning children and some teenagers from using social media, but experts are still locked in a debate over the effectiveness of the move.
Supporters of a ban warn that action needs to be taken to tackle deteriorating mental health among young people, but others say the evidence is inconclusive and want a more nuanced approach.
Australia last month became the first nation to prohibit people under-16s from using immensely popular and profitable social media platforms such as Instagram, Facebook, Tiktok and YouTube.
France is currently debating bills for a similar ban for under-15s, including one championed by President Emmanuel Macron.
The Guardian reported last week that Jonathan Haidt, an American psychologist and supporter of the Australian ban, had been asked to speak to UK government officials.
Haidt argued in his bestselling 2024 book “The Anxious Generation” that too much time looking at screens — particularly social media — was rewiring children’s brains and “causing an epidemic of mental illness”.
While influential among politicians, the book has proven controversial in academic circles.
Canadian psychologist Candice Odgers wrote in a review of the book that the “scary story” Haidt was telling was “not supported by science”.
One of the main areas of disagreement has been determining exactly how much effect using social media has on young people’s mental health.
Michael Noetel, a researcher at the University of Queensland in Australia, told AFP that “small effects across billions of users add up”.
There is “plenty of evidence” that social media does harm to teens, he said, adding that some were demanding an unrealistic level of proof.
“My read is that Haidt is more right than his harshest critics admit, and less right than his book implies,” Noetel said.
Given the potential benefit of a ban, he considered it “a bet worth making”.
After reviewing the evidence, France’s public health watchdog ANSES ruled last week that social media had numerous detrimental effects for adolescents particularly girls while not being the sole reason for their declining mental health.
Everything in moderation?
Noetel led research published in Psychological Bulletin last year that reviewed more than 100 studies worldwide on the links between screens and the psychological and emotional problems suffered by children and adolescents.
The findings suggested a vicious cycle.
Excessive screen time particularly using social media and playing video games was associated with problems. This distress then drove youngsters to look at their screens even more.
However, other researchers are wary of a blanket ban.
Ben Singh from the University of Adelaide tracked more than 100,000 young Australians over three years for a study published in JAMA Pediatrics.
The study found that the young people with the worst wellbeing were those who used social media heavily more than two hours a day or not at all. It was teens who used social networks moderately that fared the best.
“The findings suggest that both excessive restriction and excessive use can be problematic,” Singh told AFP.
Again, girls suffered the most from excessive use. Being entirely deprived of social media was found to be most detrimental for boys in their later teens.
Appallingly toxic
French psychiatrist Serge Tisseron is among those who have long warned about the huge threat that screens pose to health.
“Social media is appallingly toxic,” he told AFP.
But he feared a ban would easily be overcome by tech-savvy teens, at the same time absolving parents of responsibility.
“In recent years, the debate has become extremely polarised between an outright ban or nothing at all,” he said, calling for regulation that walks a finer line.
Another option could be to wait and see how the Australian experiment pans out.
“Within a year, we should know much more about how effective the Australian social media ban has been and whether it led to any unintended consequences,” Cambridge University researcher Amy Orben said.
Last week, Australia’s online safety watchdog said that tech companies have already blocked 4.7 million accounts for under-16s.
AFP
Entertainment
Adidas Honours Bob Marley’s Legacy with New Fashion Collection Inspired by Music and Sport
Global sportswear brand Adidas has unveiled a new eight-piece apparel collection inspired by the life, legacy, and cultural influence of legendary reggae icon Bob Marley. The collection blends sports fashion with reggae heritage, celebrating Marley’s deep love for football and his lasting impact on global culture.
The limited collection features designs created for both athletes and fans, combining Adidas’ signature sportswear aesthetics with visual elements that reflect Bob Marley’s identity, philosophy, and artistic legacy. The collaboration pays tribute not only to Marley’s music but also to his passion for the game of football, which played an important role in his life beyond the stage.
Bob Marley was widely known for his love of football, often playing the sport during tours and using it as a way to connect with people across cultures and borders. For him, football was more than a game—it was a symbol of unity, peace, and togetherness, values that also defined his music and message. Adidas’ new collection draws from this powerful connection between sport and culture.
The apparel line includes a range of stylish pieces that merge performance wear with lifestyle fashion, making it suitable for both athletic use and everyday wear. Through creative design, the collection reflects reggae culture, African-Caribbean identity, and Marley’s philosophy of love, freedom, and resistance.
Fans and fashion lovers have responded positively to the collaboration, praising Adidas for honoring Bob Marley’s legacy in a respectful and creative way. Many see the collection as more than just clothing, but as a cultural tribute that connects music, sport, and heritage in a meaningful form.
The collaboration also highlights the growing trend of fashion brands partnering with cultural icons to create collections that tell deeper stories beyond style. In this case, Adidas has gone beyond branding to celebrate Marley’s influence on generations of people around the world.
Cultural analysts note that Bob Marley’s image and message continue to resonate decades after his passing because of the universal values embedded in his music. His legacy extends far beyond reggae, influencing fashion, politics, spirituality, and global culture. By linking his story with sportswear, Adidas taps into a powerful narrative of unity, resilience, and cultural pride.
The collection also reflects a broader movement in global fashion, where African and Caribbean cultural heritage is increasingly being recognized and celebrated by international brands. Such collaborations not only promote diversity but also help preserve cultural narratives in modern creative industries.
For fans of Bob Marley, the collection represents a new way to connect with his legacy through everyday fashion. For sports lovers, it offers a fusion of performance design and cultural storytelling. For Adidas, it strengthens the brand’s identity as not just a sportswear company, but a global cultural platform.
As the collection gains attention worldwide, it stands as a reminder that Bob Marley’s influence continues to shape modern culture in powerful ways. Through music, sport, and fashion, his message of unity, peace, and love continues to inspire new generations.
The Adidas x Bob Marley collection is more than a fashion line—it is a celebration of legacy, culture, and the timeless connection between sport and music.
A couple has captured global attention after setting a new Guinness World Record for the most kisses on Valentine’s Day, turning a celebration of love into a historic achievement. The record-breaking moment, officially recognized by Guinness World Records, quickly went viral online, drawing admiration and excitement from people around the world.
The couple’s extraordinary display of affection transformed Valentine’s Day into more than just a romantic celebration. Instead, it became a symbol of dedication, endurance, and deep emotional connection. Their achievement has since been widely shared across social media platforms, with thousands of users praising the couple for turning love into a record-setting moment.
According to reports, the kissing marathon was carried out as part of Valentine’s Day celebrations, a day traditionally reserved for expressing love and appreciation between partners. What began as a romantic gesture soon turned into a globally recognized milestone, placing the couple in the history books.
Social media reactions have been overwhelmingly positive, with many describing the feat as “romantic,” “inspiring,” and “beautifully symbolic.” Some users highlighted the emotional side of the achievement, stating that it reflects commitment and unity rather than just physical endurance. Others viewed it as a fun and joyful way to celebrate love in a unique and unforgettable manner.
The recognition by Guinness World Records has added international significance to the moment. As the world’s most respected authority on record-breaking achievements, Guinness World Records’ acknowledgment ensures that the couple’s feat will remain officially documented as part of global record history.
Beyond the record itself, the moment has sparked broader conversations about how couples celebrate love in modern times. Valentine’s Day has evolved beyond gifts and dinners to include creative expressions of affection, symbolic gestures, and now even world records. The couple’s achievement reflects this shift, showing how love can be celebrated in bold, imaginative, and memorable ways.
Relationship experts often note that shared experiences and meaningful moments help strengthen emotional bonds between partners. In this context, the record-setting kiss marathon represents not just romance, but teamwork, patience, and mutual commitment. It highlights the idea that love is built not only through emotions but also through shared goals and experiences.
The story has also inspired other couples, with many online users expressing interest in creating unique Valentine’s traditions of their own. Some described the achievement as a reminder that love does not have to follow traditional expressions and that meaningful moments can be created in countless creative ways.
As the news continues to spread, the couple has become a symbol of modern romance—where love, creativity, and public celebration intersect. Their record-breaking Valentine’s Day moment stands as both a romantic milestone and a cultural highlight, showing how simple expressions of affection can become globally celebrated events.
In a world often dominated by negative headlines, the story offers a refreshing reminder of love, joy, and human connection. The Guinness World Record kiss marathon serves as a powerful symbol of positivity, proving that love, when celebrated boldly, can inspire people far beyond the couple at the center of the moment.
Happy Valentine's Day 🥰
Last year, Joshua Saunders set a record for the most kisses in 30 seconds by a pair with his partner, Jenny 😘 pic.twitter.com/cl79VtfRGR
— Guinness World Records (@GWR) February 14, 2026
Nigerian music icon, Tuface Idibia, aka 2Baba, has opened up about widespread assumptions surrounding his private life, stressing that he is not a womanizer.
2Baba said he is straightforward and a lover boy.
He disclosed this in an exclusive chat with the Voice of Nigeria, where he spoke about his responsibilities as a father and the weight that comes with stardom.
The legendary singer addressed what he believes is the most persistent misunderstanding about him.
“The biggest misconception about me is that I’m a womanizer. I like women; I’m just straightforward. But I’m a lover boy. I love hard,” 2Baba said.
Moving beyond public opinion, the award-winning artiste spoke emotionally about fatherhood, acknowledging that juggling his music career with raising his children has been one of his toughest personal challenges.
He said: “I have eight kids now. I feel blessed and happy, but the sadness comes from the fact that I haven’t gotten to spend the type of time I should have spent with them collectively. It does something to me sometimes.”
Despite the regret he occasionally feels, 2Baba described his children as a continual source of joy and admiration.
“They’re amazing, brilliant people,” he said. “I just wish I was there more. It touches me from all corners.”
He also responded to public commentary about his wife, Natasha, particularly suggestions that she is overly controlling or significantly influences his decisions.
According to the singer, such claims are often far removed from the truth of their relationship.
“Everybody has a say in everybody’s business now. Sometimes people say very nasty things.
“You grow thick skin, but sometimes it gets to you. Reality is reality, she’s a brilliant woman, a strong woman.”
Away from the bright lights and roaring crowds, 2Baba revealed a calmer, more reserved personality, explaining that he is naturally shy despite performing on some of the world’s biggest stages.
“My profession doesn’t permit me to be shy, but I’m actually a very shy person.
“Sometimes I just want to be alone and chill. Other times I want to hang out. I like nature; I have my moments.”
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