Australia has introduced a ban on social media use for under-16s with the aim of protecting young people from potential harm. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has described the policy as “a profound reform which will continue to reverberate around the world.” But is this a desirable outcome? While many parents welcome the ban as a necessary safeguard for their children, social media companies have been reluctant to enforce it. Social media has frequently been linked to rising

Every year when Spotify Wrapped season falls upon us suddenly instagram becomes more judgemental than your mum at Christmas.  Is wrapped more than just data from the year? Has it become some kind of personality test? A public statement? Have you found yourself blasting more alternative music in the last few weeks of October in order to knock Taylor Swift off your top spot?  If so, you aren’t alone. There seems to be a fear of being basic when it comes to Wrapped and I get it,

Avoiding comparison can often feel impossible. It tends to happen without us even noticing, the moment we see someone else succeeding and instantly begin to question our own lives. In a world overflowing with highlight reels and social media designed to convince us that we need more, our joy can be easily overshadowed by a constant desire to improve and be more like others. The classic saying, “the grass is greener on the other side,” implies that others have it better than w

Netflix is about to change the way we watch movies - again. The streaming giant is gearing up to buy the major Hollywood studio Warner Bros., home to franchises like Harry Potter , DC and Game of Thrones , in a deal worth roughly $72 billion. This isn’t just any ordinary business move; it’s a shift with far-reaching implications for how films are made and distributed, potentially transforming the way audiences experience movies both at home and in theaters. The acquisition wo

Christmas is supposed to be the most wonderful time of the year, but with the current economic climate, keeping the festive spirit alive can feel like a challenge. Here’s a guide to creating a budget-friendly, yet still magical, Christmas. While shop-bought gifts definitely don’t go amiss, the time, energy, and thought that go into a handmade present really show your love and appreciation for someone. Air-dry clay is incredibly affordable and offers endless crafting possibili

The gym can be a dreaded place and feel like the only option for staying fit. We’re here to tell you that isn’t the case. Here’s some simple steps you can take to keep you feeling positive.   When winter closes in with early nights, grey skies, and sluggish energy, many of us feel the chill creep beyond the weather and into the mind. But there’s growing evidence that even small, everyday movements can help keep the ‘winter scaries’ at bay. It’s not about training for a marath

SPOILERS AHEAD!   November 2025 welcomed the first volume of the highly anticipated and awaited Stranger Things 5. Nearly 10 years after its initial release, the Netflix show has gained millions of fans, so the expectations for its final season are high. I myself have grown up alongside the show, having started watching it at 12 and now being 20, and there were moments in volume 1 that had me feeling emotional and nostalgic at its ending already.   The first four episodes of

At some point, we’ve all watched a film and recognised ourselves on-screen, or read a book and felt strangely seen. But are we getting too   close to fiction, and losing parts of ourselves along the way? No matter how hard we try to bridge the gap between reality and fiction, the truth is they’ll never quite align. That’s why we should be a little sceptical about how far mimicking fictional characters can take us. Yet choosing a designated comfort character still has its perk

‘Making it’ in the entertainment industry used to mean hoping a guy in a suit liked your demo tape, or knowing someone who knew a casting director. But now, old gatekeepers to success, like agents and producers, have been pushed aside to make room for something with even more power - algorithms.  Social media and strong online fanbases have completely changed the pathway to fame and handed power back to audiences. The TikTok star to Best New Artist pipeline could not be more

The gothic genre has been embedded throughout society in forms of literature, cinema, popular culture and architecture for centuries- originating from a Germanic people, the ‘Goths. ’ The word gothic has been revitalised many times through many years to represent different groups of people and political climates. This is true of its influence in cinema. While the genre is constantly evolving, certain characteristics from the first gothic works remain constant: a dark, moody a

That little naked baby is everywhere. The global success of the Sonny Angel, a smiling, wide-eyed, 3 inch mini figure, is reflective of the collectible toy craze that's taken over GenZ. Blind boxes, pre-packaged surprise toys, are practically all around; lined up on a shelf in your favourite influencer's bedroom, peeking out over laptops and phone cases, and in shops simply dedicated to selling them. The responsibility for this relentless promotion of these trinkets is owed t

The trailer for Emerald Fennell’s “Wuthering Heights” has recently been released, and it has caused quite the uproar. There has been a lot of discourse online surrounding the accuracy of this adaptation and whether or not it is blasphemous. While the trailer most certainly indicates discrepancies between the film and the book, I must say I am rather excited to watch this storyline unfold.  The quotation marks must be addressed, as I think this is a large indicator that this f

I bet you’ve seen it already. The posters. The social media challenges. The facial hair of your male friends creeping ever and ever longer. As we near the close of Movember, we must praise the valiant efforts made towards destigmatising men’s mental health issues, and treating both prostate and testicular cancer. Having started small in Australia, Movember has gained real life traction, raising £400 globally since its establishment in 2003. But is fundraising truly enough to

My family takes Christmas traditions very seriously. Or better said, I take them very seriously. In my eyes, Christmas starts on December 1st, so if the decorations aren’t up by then, it isn’t Christmas yet. With those maths, the last weekend in November is when our house transforms into the Christmas spirit. But times are changing: university is a new chapter and the traditions are changing too. So down to the big debate: when is the right time to decorate for Christmas? It

Self-awareness is a double edged sword. It is important to understand social cues and act appropriately in certain circumstances, but has it become so debilitating that it has ultimately lost meaning? Are people too self-aware that they can no longer function without over-analysing every waking moment of their lives? Self awareness is your ability to understand your own thoughts and feelings, but also how others may perceive and react to your actions. It influences how you vi

The Grammy’s newly introduced category of Best Album Cover  is a long overdue ode to the artwork which is many listeners first impression of an album: the colours, themes and overall vibes of the record. When a cover compliments these elements it’s satisfying, and similarly jarring when it doesn’t. An album cover helps to materialise the imagery within the songs – something to shape a listening experience around. Whether it’s seasonal aesthetics, an outfit choice or facial ex

On 7th November, the Recording Academy announced the nominations for the 68th Annual Grammy Awards. The awards take place on 1st February 2026, leaving plenty of time to speculate on who may win, and debate on whether any artists were unduly snubbed. Leading the field is Kendrick Lamar (9 nominations), followed closely by Lady Gaga (7), Bad Bunny (6), and Sabrina Carpenter (6); all four are competing in the Song, Record, and Album of the Year categories. It’s unsurprising tha

As Islamophobia Awareness Month highlights prejudice faced by Muslim communities, the question of representation in film and television remains crucial. For decades, Islam and Muslims have too often been reduced to negative stereotypes. Yet recent years have seen promising signs of change. A turning point came when actor Riz Ahmed delivered a powerful speech in the House of Commons, condemning harmful portrayals of Muslims in the media. This led to the creation of The Riz Tes

Opening social media in the last few weeks has made one thing evident as temperatures have plummeted, people are dying to get cosy. Cosiness is the best antidote to the bleakness that comes with the beginning of winter and extends to every aspect of life. If you’re looking for a way to warm up a frosty November, give some of these ago. To give your home a winter update, make it softer for all five senses: think warm lighting, a berry-scented candle and a few festive decoratio

Transforming everyday tasks into an intentional, meaningful routine has captured the internet’s attention, becoming a defining feature of the viral “that girl” aesthetic. Mindfulness and meditation intertwine here, as the idea of genuinely enjoying your routine emerges as something quietly revolutionary. We all have habits, some intentional, others completely subconscious, that shape our daily decisions. For instance, mindlessly scrolling through your phone during every spare

It goes without saying that spending time alone and dedicating a few hours to ourselves is essential for our well-being. But where do we draw the line? Should we really be skipping plans with our besties just because we “aren’t in the mood”? Imagine this: you’ve been planning your extravagant 21st birthday for a whole year. The invitations went out six months ago, and the outfit has been hanging in your wardrobe for weeks. Then, two hours before the party, your best friend se

The label “industry plant” seems to be on everyone’s lips at the moment. As soon as an artist gains a relatively large amount of success in a short time, perhaps because of virality or award nominations, they face the accusation that record label executives are orchestrating it for profit. Doechii, Clairo and Sombr are just some examples of artists facing the allegations; let’s break them down. American rapper Doechii had all eyes on her after she released her mixtape Alligat

Sheffield is home to an incredible live music scene, both big and small. When you look beyond Foundry, you’ll discover an incredible array of venues platforming musicians spanning across various genres. Here are some of the best: Sidney & Matilda: Located on the corner of Sidney Street and Matilda Street in the City Centre, Sidney’s is the place to be for a good night of live music. Sheffield’s own Music Culture Society regularly puts on student-run gigs here. The venue has m

Sheffield has long been known for its entanglement in the entertainment industry, producing stars and featuring on screen. Musical Greats Legendary rock band Def Leppard met in the student haven Crookes, in Joe Elliot's bedroom, where they recruited the vocalist in 1977. They played their first live performance for a “Rent a Crowd” of friends at the Portland Works Spoon Factory, before a public gig at Westfield School a year later. Whilst not having explicitly written about S