Nearly half of British teenagers feel addicted to social media, according to a recent study. This concern coincides with increasing scrutiny over the impact of big tech platforms on users, especially young people. The study, involving around 19,000 individuals born between 2000-2002 in the UK, found that 48% of respondents felt a lack of control over their social media usage. The data, revealing a higher proportion of girls (57%) than boys (37%) feeling this way, suggests a problematic relationship with these platforms. Researchers emphasise that feeling addicted doesn't equate to clinical addiction but indicates an unhealthy relationship with social media. The findings come amidst broader concerns about digital technology fostering compulsive behaviours, as evidenced by the WHO's recognition of 'gaming disorder' and the US surgeon general's warning about social media's risks to mental health. This study highlights the growing need to understand and manage the complex relationship between young people and digital technologies.
2023 - UK’s second-warmest year ever
04 Jan 2024
2023 stands as the second warmest year on record in the UK, following 2022, with a mean temperature of 9.97°C. This year, Wales and Northern Ireland both experienced their warmest years ever since records began in 1884. The year was marked by notable heatwaves in June and September, contributing to eight of the twelve months being warmer than average. June was the hottest on record, and September tied for the joint-hottest. This warming trend aligns with global climate patterns, with human-induced climate change playing a significant role. The UK's climate has been consistently warming, with the ten warmest years occurring since 2003. Climate studies suggest that such high temperatures, a rarity in the past, are now becoming increasingly common due to human activity. The year also saw significant rainfall, with the UK experiencing 11% more rain than average. Northern Ireland recorded its third wettest year, and England its sixth wettest. These wet conditions, combined with the warm temperatures, indicate the changing climate patterns, suggesting a trend towards hotter, drier summers and warmer, wetter winters in the UK. The full UK State of the Climate report, detailing these findings in depth, is set to be released later in 2024.
Kids Company founder Camila Batmanghelidjh dies
04 Jan 2024
Camila Batmanghelidjh, the founder of Kids Company and a prominent social justice campaigner, passed away at 61. Known for her significant contributions to supporting deprived and vulnerable inner-city children, she started Kids Company in 1996 in South London, reaching up to 36,000 young people. Although she stepped down in 2015 amid allegations of mismanagement, she was later cleared of any wrongdoing by the High Court. Batmanghelidjh, who had been ill for some time, passed away peacefully in her sleep on 1 January, her birthday. She was remembered for her unwavering dedication to Britain's most vulnerable children, spending her last Christmas wrapping presents for them. Born in Iran and arriving in England at 12, she overcame significant personal challenges and achieved a first-class degree from the University of Warwick. She was recognised for her vibrant personality and influence, rubbing shoulders with politicians and celebrities like David Cameron and Coldplay, and her impact on social welfare and child support remains significant. Steve Chalke, Baptist minister and founder of Oasis Charitable Trust, said he would ever be grateful to Ms Batmanghelidjh, 'for her wisdom and depth of love for children'.
Evangelist Franklin Graham has criticised the UK Methodist Church for its new Inclusive Language Guide, which advises avoiding gendered terms like 'husband' and 'wife’. Graham, the CEO of Samaritan’s Purse, expressed his disapproval on social media, emphasising the biblical significance of these terms and the importance of adhering to scriptural teachings rather than conforming to cultural shifts. The guide, updated every six months, aims to promote inclusivity, especially for LGBT+ people, by recommending terms like 'parent’, 'partner’, 'child', and 'carer' as alternatives. It also suggests using language and pronouns preferred by individuals. The Methodist Church defended the guide, stating it facilitates respectful conversations without making assumptions or unintentionally causing offence. This initiative aligns with the church's efforts to include LGBT+ individuals, as indicated by references to organisations like GLAAD and Stonewall in the guide. However, the denomination's Book of Discipline still prohibits LGBT-identified clergy from ordination and bans same-sex marriages. A significant legislative gathering in spring 2024 is expected to address these contentious issues further.
Ukraine / Russia: prisoner exchange
04 Jan 2024
On 3 January Russia and Ukraine exchanged hundreds of prisoners of war, in the biggest such swap since Vladimir Putin launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. 230 Ukrainian prisoners of war returned to their homes, and a total of 248 Russian servicemen were released from Ukrainian territory, in a deal brokered by the UAE. This is the 49th prisoner exchange between Ukraine and Russia during the war, Kyiv’s human rights ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets said. Volodymyr Zelensky said that 213 soldiers, eleven officers, and six civilians had been released; he added that negotiations ‘have not ceased for a single moment’. The UAE is among a handful of nations to have maintained close ties with Russia in spite of Putin’s decision to invade a European neighbour, which has otherwise left Russia isolated on the world stage and facing mounting Western and international sanctions.
Denmark: the first Australian to become a Queen
04 Jan 2024
Queen Margrethe II of Denmark's surprise abdication in favour of her son Crown Prince Frederik has marked a historic moment globally, but it has also made Princess Mary the first-ever Australian to become a Queen Consort. Born in Hobart to immigrant parents, Mary Donaldson's upbringing was in a middle-class suburban home. She excelled in leadership from high school onwards, becoming a popular and amiable student. After earning a degree in law and commerce, she pursued a successful career in advertising and luxury real estate. Her life took a dramatic turn when she met Frederik during the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney. Their chance encounter led to a long-distance relationship, and in 2002, Mary relocated to Denmark, learning Danish and working at Microsoft. They married in 2004, in a ceremony watched by over a million Australians, and Mary was affectionately known as ‘the girl who charmed a nation’.
Global: elections in the first half of 2024
04 Jan 2024
2024 will see the most extensive year of elections ever, with 4.2 billion people in 76 countries set to vote. However, the state of democracy appears precarious; global reports show it contracting, accompanied by widespread disillusionment, especially among the youth. Elections often fail to rekindle faith in democracy, and authoritarian leaders often exploit them to their own ends. Moreover, elections can expose democracies to external threats, exemplified by Taiwan (13 January), under great pressure from its neighbour China. The one in Bangladesh (8 January) merely solidifies existing rule, with the main opposition party abstaining. In February Pakistan's election may escalate the conflict between Imran Khan and the military, while in Indonesia the outgoing president is backing a candidate who has a record of human rights abuses. 17 March will demonstrate a stark contrast: Russia's vote will proceed while Ukraine's may be postponed to protect its voters from being killed by Russian bombs. In South Africa, maybe as early as May, an opposition coalition could take power - but would that make any significant difference? The month-long election in India carries concerns over prime minister Narendra Modi’s growing authoritarianism. In June the EU assembly elections, the world's second-largest, may see far-right, anti-democratic parties making significant gains, further complicating the global democratic landscape.
Japan: devastating earthquake
04 Jan 2024
Scenes of devastation emerged along Japan’s western coast as rescuers raced to save residents trapped in the rubble of a 7.5 magnitude earthquake on 1 January which triggered multiple aftershocks and killed dozens of people. Buildings collapsed, fires broke out, and tsunami alerts were given as far away as eastern Russia. The disaster has claimed at least 57 lives. While warnings of tsunamis along the coast were lifted, the northern part of the Noto Peninsula remains isolated due to a destroyed road. Prime minister Fumio Kishida announced efforts to secure transportation routes, including aerial and marine transport, to send supplies and personnel to the affected areas. The city of Wajima, home to over 27,000 people, is among the hardest-hit areas, with 15 confirmed fatalities and widespread destruction. The next day, all 367 passengers and twelve crew members of a Japan Airlines jet successfully disembarked after it collided with a coastguard plane on its way to provide earthquake relief. The crew have been praised for their calmness and professionalism. See