The growing use of cosmetic procedures among film and television performers is prompting debate within the entertainment industry over whether increasingly enhanced appearances are affecting screen performances and audience engagement.

Industry professionals, medical practitioners and cultural observers say treatments such as dermal fillers, Botox injections and facial contouring have become commonplace among actors seeking to maintain youthful appearances in a highly competitive business. At the same time, critics argue that some procedures may limit facial movement, potentially affecting an actor’s ability to convey emotion on screen.New York dermatologist Dr. David A.

Colbert recalled receiving a call several years ago from a film director who complained that a leading actor’s heavily augmented appearance had restricted facial expression during production. According to Colbert, the director mistakenly assumed he had administered the treatments in question.

Colbert said he had never treated the actor with filler or Botox, but understood the director’s concerns. Film-makers, he said, often want performers to appear natural and emotionally accessible to audiences.The issue has gained wider public attention as social media users increasingly scrutinize the appearance of actors in major film and streaming releases.

Online discussion has focused on whether cosmetic enhancements are becoming visible enough to distract viewers or alter perceptions of character authenticity.Recent debate has surrounded several high-profile performers.

Following the release of promotional material for Christopher Nolan’s upcoming film “The Odyssey,” some viewers questioned whether actress Jennifer Lawrence’s co-star Anne Hathaway appeared to have limited forehead movement, although Hathaway has publicly denied cosmetic surgery speculation in the past.

Similar discussions emerged around singer and actress Ariana Grande’s portrayal of Glinda in the “Wicked” films. Commentators on social media and in entertainment publications questioned whether highly polished appearances among contemporary performers were contributing to what some described as a less expressive visual style on screen.

Actress Margot Robbie has also been the subject of online speculation regarding cosmetic procedures, particularly following publicity images linked to her role in an adaptation of “Wuthering Heights.” No evidence has been presented to support such claims.

Industry observers note that much of the speculation surrounding performers’ appearances disproportionately affects women. Critics argue that public discussions about cosmetic enhancements can reinforce unrealistic beauty expectations while placing responsibility on individual actresses for broader industry pressures related to ageing and appearance.

Actress Millie Bobby Brown addressed criticism of her appearance during promotional activities for “The Electric State,” stating publicly that negative commentary left her feeling depressed for several days.

Male performers have also faced scrutiny. Actor Barry Keoghan has said online criticism of his appearance has made him more reluctant to engage in public life, while social media users have similarly commented on actor Ryan Gosling’s youthful appearance during recent television appearances.Despite concerns over public scrutiny, some acting professionals argue that facial mobility remains fundamental to performance.

Colbert said facial movement in screen acting appears less pronounced today than in previous decades. He suggested that excessive use of filler and similar procedures can affect the subtle expressions that help communicate emotion to audiences.The discussion touches on a longstanding tension within the entertainment industry between physical appearance and artistic performance.

While attractiveness has historically played an important role in the development of movie stars, facial expressiveness has also been central to cinematic storytelling.Marsha Gordon, a film historian and professor at North Carolina State University, said concerns about cosmetic alteration are not new.

She pointed to a 1929 article published in Motion Picture magazine titled “The Flesh and Blood Racket,” which examined cosmetic procedures among actors.The article highlighted cases involving boxer Jack Dempsey, who reportedly underwent surgery on his nose while pursuing opportunities in film, and actor Louis Wolheim, known for portraying tough and rugged characters.

According to Gordon, studio executives at United Artists successfully prevented Wolheim from undergoing a rhinoplasty because they believed his distinctive appearance contributed to his screen appeal.Gordon said close-up cinematography has long made facial features central to audience engagement.

During Hollywood’s early decades, the faces of stars such as Marlene Dietrich, Greta Garbo and Clara Bow became defining elements of the cinematic experience.Acting coach Zak Barnett said cosmetic enhancements are not typically discussed directly during acting instruction, but are frequently part of conversations between performers and talent representatives.

According to Barnett, many actors consider whether aesthetic procedures might improve their professional prospects.Barnett argued that audience preferences could eventually shift toward more natural appearances and performances. He said viewers increasingly value authenticity and emotional credibility, qualities he believes may become more important in character-driven storytelling.

Others see little evidence that demand for cosmetic procedures will diminish significantly.Jessica M. Goldstein, a journalist who has written extensively about beauty standards and entertainment culture, said commercial forces continually create incentives for consumers to pursue new aesthetic treatments. She argued that beauty standards evolve rather than disappear, often generating demand for newer and more sophisticated procedures.

Goldstein compared current facial enhancement trends with the widespread adoption of dental veneers among performers during the past two decades. While veneers remain common, she noted that the industry has moved away from highly standardized appearances toward more individualized results.

Medical professionals report similar changes in facial cosmetic procedures.Plastic surgeon Dr. Sean Brissett said some patients are experiencing what he described as “filler fatigue,” choosing either to dissolve existing filler or discontinue treatments as products wear off.

According to Brissett, many patients now seek alternatives that provide less conspicuous results.One procedure attracting growing interest is the deep-plane facelift, a surgical technique designed to reposition deeper facial structures while preserving natural movement and expression.

Brissett said the procedure can cost as much as $40,000 in major markets including New York and Los Angeles.The technique has gained popularity among celebrities and other high-profile individuals seeking subtle rejuvenation rather than dramatic transformation.

Surgeons interviewed by New York magazine last year said many public figures undergo the procedure privately, contributing to its growing visibility within the cosmetic surgery sector.Actress Jennifer Lawrence has publicly indicated caution regarding facial fillers because of concerns about their potential impact on acting performance.

However, when asked about the possibility of undergoing a deep-plane facelift in the future, she expressed openness to the procedure.As cosmetic technologies continue to evolve, the debate surrounding appearance, performance and authenticity remains active across Hollywood, reflecting broader questions about how audiences define realism and emotional connection in contemporary screen entertainment.

Actor Hannah Murray has offered a deeply personal account of psychosis, involuntary psychiatric treatment and the breakdown of her sense of reality in a forthcoming memoir, describing a period in which she believed she possessed supernatural abilities and played a central role in humanity’s salvation.

In an extract from her memoir, The Make-Believe: A Memoir of Magic and Madness, Murray recounts her experiences while undergoing a severe mental health crisis that ultimately led to her being detained under the UK’s Mental Health Act.

The actor, widely known for portraying Gilly in the television series Game of Thrones, describes a state in which ordinary events were interpreted through an elaborate belief system involving magic, destiny and spiritual transformation.

According to the memoir extract, Murray believed she had become a “Ritual Master” and viewed routine interactions within a hospital setting as part of a larger supernatural narrative. Medical staff, patients and family members were assigned symbolic roles within a reality she perceived as fundamentally altered.

She recounts being brought food and drink by a healthcare worker but refusing to eat, believing instead that she no longer required conventional nourishment. During this period, she writes that she considered herself entirely self-sufficient and capable of surviving through spiritual energy rather than physical needs.

As her condition intensified, Murray describes wandering hospital corridors while waiting for what she believed would be the arrival of an important figure connected to her perceived mission. She interpreted events around her through the lens of a complex belief system that blended personal experiences, spirituality, popular culture and fantasy.

One of the most emotionally significant moments in the account involves a phone call from her mother. Murray writes that when she first heard her mother’s distressed voice, she viewed the conversation not as a family member trying to reach her, but as part of a test designed to pull her back into ordinary reality.

She recalls ending the first call before answering again when her mother phoned back. During the second conversation, Murray attempted to reassure her that she was safe and believed she was in a positive place despite the growing concerns of those around her.

The memoir describes how medical professionals informed her that she was being sectioned under the Mental Health Act, a legal process that allows individuals experiencing severe mental illness to be detained and assessed when they may pose risks to themselves or are unable to recognise their condition.

At the time, however, Murray writes that the information had little impact because it did not fit within the reality she believed she was experiencing. References to legal procedures, assessment periods and patient rights appeared disconnected from the worldview that had taken hold during her psychosis.

Instead, she says she remained focused on what she perceived as powerful energies moving through her body and voices that reinforced her convictions. Throughout the episode, Murray believed she possessed extraordinary abilities and unlimited creative powers.

The actor describes pacing hospital corridors while delivering what she considered a profound performance, convinced she was simultaneously a magician, actor, writer and spiritual guide.

She believed she could perform any conceivable action and viewed herself as possessing superhuman capabilities.The memoir further details grandiose beliefs commonly associated with psychotic episodes. Murray writes that she became convinced she had prevented an apocalypse and served as a central figure in humanity’s future.

She interpreted cultural references, films and professional experiences as evidence supporting those conclusions.Among those interpretations was her belief that a 2016 film, The Girl with All the Gifts, contained messages connected to her perceived role in world events.

She viewed the title itself as a reflection of her identity during the episode.Murray also writes that her acting career took on symbolic significance within the delusional framework. Professional collaborations and casting decisions were reimagined as part of a larger cosmic narrative.

She came to believe that her work in television and film had been preparing her for a destiny connected to the survival and transformation of the world.The account illustrates how psychosis can fundamentally alter a person’s perception of reality, leading ordinary experiences to acquire extraordinary meanings.

Mental health specialists often describe psychosis as a condition in which individuals may experience delusions, hallucinations or disordered thinking that make it difficult to distinguish between subjective beliefs and external reality.Murray’s memoir presents those experiences from her own perspective, allowing readers to follow the internal logic that shaped her thinking during the crisis.

Rather than reflecting on the events solely through hindsight, the narrative recreates the certainty with which she held those beliefs at the time.The extract forms part of a broader memoir examining Murray’s experiences with mental illness, recovery and identity.

By documenting her psychotic episode in detail, she offers an account of how severe mental health conditions can affect perception, relationships and decision-making.The book is scheduled for publication by Cornerstone and explores both the onset of Murray’s illness and the process of understanding what happened after the crisis ended.

The actor is also due to discuss the memoir publicly during an event in London alongside Jessie Cave.For Murray, the memoir represents an effort to chronicle a period in which reality itself became unstable, transforming familiar people, places and experiences into elements of a narrative that felt entirely real at the time but was ultimately shaped by psychosis.

Actor and comedian Bob Odenkirk has said that the near-fatal heart attack he suffered while filming the television series Better Call Saul in 2021 fundamentally altered his perspective on work, prompting him to reassess the pace and volume of his professional commitments.

Speaking in a question-and-answer interview covering his career, personal projects and health, Odenkirk said the medical emergency highlighted the fragility of life and reinforced the importance of slowing down after years of maintaining an intense work schedule.The actor, best known for portraying lawyer-turned-criminal fixer Jimmy McGill, also known as Saul Goodman, reflected on the enduring appeal of the character.

Asked what Jimmy McGill might do if released from prison, Odenkirk suggested the character’s fundamental tendencies would remain unchanged.According to Odenkirk, McGill possesses considerable intelligence and talent but is driven by a deep sense of resentment that often pushes him toward destructive choices.

He said that even after imprisonment, the character would likely return to questionable schemes, although he might avoid involvement with drug traffickers after the events depicted in the series.The comments offered insight into Odenkirk’s interpretation of a character whose transformation from struggling attorney to criminal facilitator became central to the narrative of Better Call Saul.

The actor suggested that McGill’s challenges stem not from a lack of ability but from an inability to channel his talents constructively.Beyond television, Odenkirk discussed several ongoing creative projects, including a musical album currently in production. He said seven songs had already been recorded.

The material was written by Mark Nutter, whom Odenkirk described as a creator of comic musicals. According to the actor, the songs follow a comedic Broadway style and feature intentionally humorous themes.

The interview also touched on Odenkirk’s experiences with long-distance hiking, including comparisons between two physically demanding treks undertaken years apart.

Asked whether completing Scotland’s West Highland Way with his daughter in 2015 was more difficult than hiking Peru’s Inca Trail alongside comedian and actor David Cross for the documentary Bob and David Climb Machu Picchu, Odenkirk said the Peruvian expedition was considerably more challenging.

He cited the trail’s altitude, which reaches approximately 13,800 feet (4,200 metres), as well as the constant ascents and descents along uneven stone stairways. The demanding terrain, he said, required sustained concentration to avoid injury during the multi-day journey.

Odenkirk also addressed audience appreciation for his supporting role in the 2013 film Nebraska. While dismissing the notion that he should have received an Academy Award for the relatively small part, he expressed gratitude for the compliment and highlighted his experience working alongside veteran actor Bruce Dern.

The actor recalled spending time with Dern in a diner attached to their hotel during filming, listening to stories from Dern’s decades-long career in Hollywood. Odenkirk noted that many of those experiences have since been documented in Dern’s autobiography.

Asked whether he would consider performing Shakespeare, Odenkirk acknowledged having read extensively about the playwright while admitting limited direct experience with Shakespearean productions.

Nevertheless, he expressed interest in attempting such a role, describing the challenge as both difficult and appealing.The interview also ventured into lighter territory when Odenkirk was asked to name his favorite individuals named Bob.

His selections included comedian and actor Bob Newhart, broadcaster Bob Elliott, and actor Robert De Niro, although Odenkirk joked that he did not know De Niro well enough to address him by the nickname.Another question focused on actor Kevin Costner and the long-standing comparisons between the two performers.

Odenkirk acknowledged that he was frequently told he resembled Costner earlier in his career. When asked which Costner role he would most like to play, he selected the lead role in the baseball fantasy drama Field of Dreams.The most personal portion of the interview concerned Odenkirk’s heart attack, which occurred on the set of Better Call Saul in July 2021.

The incident prompted questions about whether he had considered leaving acting altogether and pursuing a quieter life.Odenkirk said the experience did, in some respects, make him question the direction of his career.

Although he chose to continue working, he concluded that he no longer wanted to maintain the same level of professional activity that had characterized much of his adult life.Reflecting on the period before the heart attack, he said an overloaded schedule had made it difficult to appreciate individual experiences and responsibilities.

Constantly moving from one obligation to another left little opportunity for reflection or enjoyment, he said.The actor described the health scare as a turning point that forced him to recognize the limitations of an overcommitted lifestyle.

While he continues to honor professional obligations undertaken before the incident, he indicated that his long-term goal is to reduce the intensity of his workload and create more space for personal fulfillment.

His comments illustrate how a medical emergency can prompt broader reassessments of career priorities, particularly for performers balancing multiple film, television and creative projects simultaneously.

For Odenkirk, the lesson was not to stop working altogether, but to work differently and with a greater awareness of the finite nature of time.

As the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 marks its 70th anniversary, performers, broadcasters and former contestants have described the competition as a platform capable of delivering international recognition, domestic backlash and enduring cultural influence.

Interviews with several figures associated with the contest illustrate how Eurovision has evolved from a regional music competition into one of the world’s most closely watched live television events.Finnish hard rock performer Lordi, which won the contest in 2006 with “Hard Rock Hallelujah,” said the group originally viewed participation in Finland’s national selection process as a promotional opportunity rather than a serious attempt to compete internationally.

Frontman Mr Lordi said the band expected little success and entered primarily to gain television exposure for a new album.The group’s unconventional stage presentation, featuring elaborate monster costumes and heavy metal theatrics, drew extensive international media attention during the contest in Athens.

According to Mr Lordi, some delegations and participants reacted negatively to the disproportionate media focus surrounding the band, leading to formal complaints during the event.Despite eventually winning the competition, Mr Lordi described the final performance as personally disappointing because he was ill with a fever during the broadcast.

He said the latex costumes created extreme heat conditions on stage, making vocal performance difficult. Finland’s victory marked the country’s first Eurovision win and triggered significant domestic celebration, including the naming of a public square after the singer in his hometown.

However, Mr Lordi said the aftermath also revealed divisions within Finland’s music community. He stated that sections of the country’s rock and metal audience viewed the band’s Eurovision participation as commercial compromise rather than artistic achievement.

According to him, the backlash intensified to the point where the band reportedly struggled to secure live performances in Finland for several years after the victory, even as its international profile continued to grow.The contest has also played a role in shaping internet culture.

Moldovan saxophonist SunStroke Project member Sergey Stepanov became internationally known as “Epic Sax Guy” after footage from the group’s 2010 Eurovision performance circulated widely online. The viral clip became one of the contest’s earliest major internet memes, helping introduce Eurovision performances to audiences outside Europe through social media and video-sharing platforms.

British singer James Newman, who represented the United Kingdom in 2021 and received zero points from both juries and public voters, described the immediate aftermath of the result as difficult but manageable. Newman said the atmosphere inside the venue remained supportive despite the outcome and that fellow attendees responded positively after the voting concluded.

He recalled returning to Britain to widespread encouragement from radio stations, music industry figures and members of the public. Newman also said Chris Martin contacted him after the contest to offer support and discuss the pressures associated with public performance setbacks.

According to Newman, the conversation reinforced the distinction between competitive results and professional recognition within the music industry.Ireland’s Eddie Friel, who represented the country in 1995, described Eurovision during the mid-1990s as both culturally significant and financially controversial for Irish broadcaster RTÉ.

Ireland had hosted and won the contest multiple times during that period, generating domestic debate about the cost of repeatedly staging the event.Friel said speculation circulated in Ireland suggesting the broadcaster could not afford another victory because of hosting obligations.

He rejected those claims as exaggerated but acknowledged a degree of public fatigue surrounding the contest at the time. Ireland’s repeated successes during the 1990s coincided with growing scrutiny over Eurovision’s production costs and commercial viability for smaller broadcasters.

Friel also noted that his Eurovision appearance later became associated with a popular parody storyline in the Irish sitcom Father Ted. The programme’s “My Lovely Horse” episode depicted fictional Eurovision participants and included references resembling public debates surrounding Ireland’s contest history and allegations of musical similarity involving songs from earlier decades.

For broadcasters, Eurovision has become an increasingly complex production as the scale of the event has expanded. Graham Norton, who has provided BBC commentary for the contest since 2009, described the event as comparable in operational scale to a major international sporting competition.

Norton said first-time attendees are often surprised by the size of Eurovision’s infrastructure and the extent to which it dominates host cities during preparation periods.

He noted that while audiences often associate his commentary with satire and criticism, his approach differs from that of former BBC commentator Terry Wogan, whose broadcasts became known for sharper humour directed at performances and organisers.

According to Norton, Eurovision productions have become increasingly professional and technically polished, reducing opportunities for the type of spontaneous mishaps that once shaped the contest’s reputation. He said earlier editions often featured inexperienced hosts and production inconsistencies, whereas contemporary contests operate with significantly higher technical standards.

Norton also described the contrast between Eurovision’s global television reach and the practical realities of live broadcasting. He said commentators often work from confined production booths with limited space and difficult working conditions despite the event’s large-scale public image.

The broadcaster added that one of the more difficult aspects of the role involves travelling home with unsuccessful national contestants following disappointing results.The contest, launched in 1956 by the European Broadcasting Union, has grown into one of the world’s largest non-sporting live television events.

Recent editions have attracted audiences exceeding 160 million viewers across Europe and international streaming markets, according to organisers and participating broadcasters.Eurovision’s transformation has mirrored wider shifts in media consumption, particularly the influence of online audiences and social platforms in amplifying performances beyond the contest itself.

Viral moments, meme culture and international fan communities have helped Eurovision expand beyond its traditional European base, while also increasing scrutiny of performers and broadcasters.

More than three decades after recording her first album, former Miss America winner Suzette Charles is preparing to release her debut record, marking an unexpected return to public life following years of professional setbacks, industry disputes and a prolonged absence from entertainment.

Charles, now 63, first emerged in the national spotlight after becoming the first biracial woman to hold the Miss America title in 1984 under highly publicised circumstances. Her career trajectory initially appeared to position her for mainstream pop success, with performances alongside some of the biggest names in American music, including Frank Sinatra, Stevie Wonder and Sammy Davis Jr.

.Despite those opportunities, Charles’s recording career stalled amid industry turmoil and personal difficulties that she says effectively removed her from public view for decades.Speaking about the delayed release of her self-titled album, Charles said she struggled to believe the project was finally reaching audiences after more than 30 years in limbo.

The album was originally developed in collaboration with British songwriting and production trio Stock Aitken Waterman, the team behind chart successes for artists including Kylie Minogue and Rick Astley during the late 1980s and early 1990s.

Producer Mike Stock said Charles’s vocal ability ranked alongside established international performers he had worked with previously, including Paul McCartney and Donna Summer.Charles grew up in Philadelphia and attended performing arts school, beginning her entertainment career in childhood.

She appeared in advertising campaigns for major consumer brands and featured on children’s television programmes including the PBS educational series Sesame Street and The Electric Company, which starred Morgan Freeman early in his career.

At 15, Charles contributed to the soundtrack of the film adaptation of Hair and later auditioned unsuccessfully for the role of Coco Hernandez in Fame, eventually played by Irene Cara.Her national breakthrough came during the Miss America 1984 competition, where she represented New Jersey.

Charles said some contestants engaged in hostile behaviour behind the scenes, describing attempts to sabotage competitors’ clothing and performances during the pageant.She initially finished as runner-up to Vanessa Williams.

However, Williams resigned 10 months later after Penthouse magazine published nude photographs taken before the competition. Charles subsequently inherited the title, becoming the first biracial Miss America.Reflecting on the controversy decades later, Charles questioned the severity of the organisers’ response while also acknowledging that contestants had signed morality agreements intended to protect the pageant’s image.

She described her acceptance of the crown as “bittersweet”.The Miss America title significantly raised her profile within the entertainment industry. Charles later joined touring productions featuring Sinatra, Davis Jr and Wonder. She recalled that Wonder occasionally sought her opinion on new material, including an early version of his future hit “I Just Called to Say I Love You.”

Another major opportunity emerged when comedian and actor Bill Cosby invited Charles to tour as a supporting musical act and considered her for a role in The Cosby Show. Charles said rumours about Cosby’s behaviour toward women were already circulating within entertainment circles at the time.According to Charles, her father warned Cosby directly to maintain professional boundaries.

During the tour, she said she declined requests to meet privately with him late at night, after which she experienced what she described as humiliating treatment on stage. She said Cosby began interrupting her performances and publicly mocking her in front of audiences.

Charles said the television role was ultimately withdrawn.Cosby was convicted in 2018 on charges of aggravated indecent assault before the conviction was later overturned by Pennsylvania’s Supreme Court on procedural grounds in 2021. More than 60 women have publicly accused him of sexual misconduct, allegations he has consistently denied.

Charles’s music career later suffered another major setback after the breakup of Stock Aitken Waterman halted work on her debut album. The collapse of the project, combined with contractual and label-related disputes, left her without a commercial release despite extensive recording sessions.

She subsequently stepped away from entertainment almost entirely during a lengthy marriage that she says restricted her artistic ambitions and public profile. Charles said she prioritised family life for years while suppressing her desire to return to performing.

Following her divorce and return to academic studies, Charles reconnected with Stock after encouragement from her family and later from attorney Paul Kaplan, whom she eventually married.The pair reunited professionally in 2015 before resuming recording work in 2024.

The completed album combines updated versions of previously recorded material with new compositions focused on emotional recovery, personal independence and relationships that limit self-expression.

Stock said older female performers often struggle to find support within a music industry heavily focused on younger audiences, despite continuing demand from listeners of similar age groups.Charles said the new recordings gave older songs entirely different emotional meanings, particularly tracks dealing with freedom and personal reinvention.

She described the album as representing a stage of life in which she finally felt able to define herself independently.

During earlier tours with Davis Jr, Charles frequently performed his signature song “I’ve Gotta Be Me.” She said she only fully understood the meaning of the song much later in life.

Youth play a major role in the society, instilling positive traits in the youth makes the society upright the future generations principled. Corruption and disintegration in the youth takes the society to the dungeons of disasters and failures.

For this very reason, Prophet ﷺ emphasized on Tarbiyah (upbringing) of children and the Satanic forces make their elbow-grease efforts to stealthily bungle the positive values parents instill in their children and destroy their personality from within.

Youth these days face a lot of challenges as they grow up. Parents find no time for their children as most of them only shell out money to get their children raised by the maids and mentors. We need to hammer this fact in our minds that “Our children need half of our money, and full of our time”.

More we get closer to them, more we can counsel them.

Porn Addiction

It’s a new-age weapon to kill the spirituality of our youth. Not only young men but also young women get addicted to this heinous addiction and later get addicted to secret habit which destroys their morality and makes them shallow.

Dr. Eric J.Nestler, Chairman of the Department of Neuroscience and Director of the Friedman Brain Institute at the Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York says that Porn addiction is worse than heroin or marijuana addiction. As the porn stimulates the brain to release abnormal quantity of endorphin hormones responsible for providing pleasure to the body. This makes the neurons weak losing their “plasticity” . He also says that, ‘Seeking to feed this addiction, can motivate parents to neglect children, previously law-abiding individuals to commit crimes, and individuals with painful alcohol or tobacco related illnesses to keep drinking and smoking.’

According to Tom Minnery, Pornography: A Human Tragedy (Wheaton: Tyndale House), he writes

“In United States alone 1 in 4 sexually experienced teenagers gets SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASE (STD) every year, resulting in 3 million cases of teenage STDs. Infectious SYPHILIS rates have more than doubled among teenagers since the mid-1980s. Every year children infected with sexually transmitted diseases are more than victims of Polio.”

Besides that medical research, it’s Allah’s order in the Quran 17:32, “And do not approach unlawful sexual intercourse. Indeed, it is ever an immorality and is evil as a way.”

Prophet Muhammed  ﷺ said: “No man or woman should look at the naked body of each other (unless married).” – Sahih Muslim

Ibn al-Qayyim (may Allaah have mercy on him) said:  “Zina encompasses all the characteristics of evil: lack of religious commitment, loss of piety, loss of chivalry, lack of protective jealousy (gheerah). You will not find any adulterer who is pious, or keeps his promises, or speaks truthfully, or is a good friend, or has complete protective jealousy towards his family. Treachery, lying, betrayal, lack of modesty, lack of awareness that Allaah is always watching, lack of chivalry, loss of protective jealousy from the heart – these are the effects and implications of Zina.”

The doomed aspect of this disease is, young kids of hardly 8 to 10 years of age, some of them not even reaching the age of puberty get access to the loads of porn content on internet or through their school colleagues.

Parents need to keep a keen eye on their kid’s activity, Ipad, Mobile histories, and internet browsing history. The vigilance shouldn’t bother them too much nor does it look like overtly pestering, otherwise kids get disgusted with the presence of the parents. The matter is delicate and needs special strategy to help our own kids get out of the quagmire.

With the emerging trends of sexualization of even animated cartoons, parents have to be visibly precautious of what kids watch on TV.

Television

An average American child will see 200,000 violent acts and 16,000 murders on TV by age 18. Two-thirds of all programming contains violence. Programs designed for children more often contain violence than adult TV. Many shows glamorize violence.  TV often promotes violent acts as a fun and effective way to get what you want, without consequences. 

Even “good guys” beating up “bad guys” gives a message that violence is normal and okay.  Many children will try to be like their “good guy” heroes in their play.

Children imitate the violence they see on TV.  Children under age eight cannot tell the difference between reality and fantasy, making them more vulnerable to learning from and adopting as reality the violence they see on TV. 

A 15-year-long study by University of Michigan researchers found that the link between childhood TV-violence viewing and aggressive and violent behavior persists into adulthood. 

A 17-year-long study found that teenaged boys who grew up watching more TV each day are more likely to commit acts of violence than those who watched less.

Apart from the violence children learn through TV, a 25-year study says, tracking children from birth has recently concluded that television viewing in childhood and adolescence is associated with poor educational achievement by 30 years of age.

By all means, TV is another trap our youth are caught up in .

Delayed Marriages

Going further, grown-up youth are tied up between devil and the deep blue sea. Unfortunately the societal and cultural norms have made marriage highly difficult, and on the other hand there’s no outlet for the carnal desires so the youth resort to forbidden acts, that bring disgrace to the parents, society and the Ummah and a never ending wrath in the hereafter.

Allah the Most High describes the love and affection one achieves through marriage by describing the married couples are garments to each other.

“They are your garments and ye are their garments.” – Surah Al-Baqrah 2:187

Also He says in Surah ar-Room 30:21 – ‘Among His Signs is that He created mates for you from among yourselves that you may find rest in them and He has put love and mercy between your hearts.’

Prophet Mohammed ﷺ said, “When a man gets married, he gets one half of the religion. Thus, he should fear Allah in the other half.” (Reported by Al-Baihaqi)

Ibn Mas’ud says, “If I would live for no longer than ten days, I would marry lest I fall into a trial.”

Ibn ‘Abbas said, “You would better marry. To spend one day in marriage is better than one full-year of worship.”

Ibn Mas’ud said while suffering from plague, “Let me marry. I do not like to meet Allah non-married.”

Ahmad Ibn Hanbal also said, “I dislike spending a night without a wife.”

In fact, marriage brings prosperity and financial benefits as Allah promised.

According to a study and a survey by Kate Antonovics and Robert Town in American Economic Review, Vol. 94 (May 2004), pp. 317–321, married men are more prosperous and wealthy after marriage than unmarried men.

To bring the attention of the suitable matches and their parents, it’s highly recommended to get married as early as possible to avoid the secret addictions and other Haraam actions.

Conclusion

There are much more traps our youth are ensnared in which requires days and days to describe, however the issues discussed above have taken up perhaps majority of them and every youth struggles to push but gives up eventually due to exhaustion in continuous fight. But don’t despair the mercy of Allah, He is with those who persevere.

Zahack Tanvir is also a regular blogger and vlogger, he also holds diploma in Journalism from London School of Journalism. He often writes on Socio-religious issues.