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Shafaq News
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Shafaq News
Beyond Entertainment: Are modern anime and cartoons rewiring Iraqi children's minds?
Shafaq News Modern anime and children's cartoons are no longer just light entertainment in Iraq's homes and schools. Teachers, researchers, and child-rights advocates warn that high-energy plots, aggressive themes, and hours of unsupervised viewing are influencing how children think, behave, and interact — sometimes with lasting consequences. In Iraq, where more than half the population is under 25 and internet access has surged in the past decade, foreign-produced media has become a daily companion for many children. Most content arrives via satellite TV, YouTube, and streaming platforms, often dubbed into Arabic and consumed without parental oversight or age classification. Between Creativity and Overload From kindergartens in Baghdad to primary schools in Basra, educators say the effects are visible. 'Children who watch these shows struggle to focus and prefer isolation over play,' said Malak Hikmat, a kindergarten teacher in the capital. She noted to Shafaq News that some rush home to watch films, avoid school activities, and occasionally imitate violent behavior. 'This indicates a flaw in their personalities, and parents must address the issue quickly.' Educational researcher Faleh al-Quraishi explains to Shafaq news that modern animated shows can enhance language skills and spark imagination. Yet, he warns, their sheer volume and fast-paced delivery can overwhelm young minds — noting that Disney alone produces around 500 films annually. Al-Quraishi cites content trends that concern many Iraqi parents: 'About 95% of these productions promote violence or aggression, and some attempt to embed inappropriate themes in children's minds, including material on sexual behavior.' From a health perspective, al-Quraishi adds that excessive viewing can lead to reduced physical activity, obesity, bone deformities, eye and hearing problems, and psychological issues such as apathy, depression, and neglect of hobbies and abilities. These warnings align with World Health Organization guidance, which recommends no screen time for infants and less than an hour daily for children under five, and with American Academy of Pediatrics advice urging families to set clear media plans and watch with young children. Moral and Cultural Concerns Women's and children's rights activist Lina Ali argues that many modern cartoons undermine children's perception, focus, and emotional stability. Unlike older productions with clear moral lessons, she says, much of today's content 'glorifies evil, blurs gender distinctions, and includes subtle sexual themes.' Ali points, in an interview with Shafaq News, to studies showing that background music and sound effects can also influence perception and concentration, sometimes correlating with declining academic performance. Global Evidence, Local Relevance A 2023 JAMA Pediatrics study in Japan, tracking more than 7,000 children, found that increased screen time at age one was linked to communication and problem-solving delays by ages two and four. While not definitive proof of causation, the findings add to evidence that heavy early exposure can affect attention and behavior. According to the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development, over 95% of adolescents in many countries are online daily, with problematic use on the rise. In the UK, Ofcom reports that animation and short-form videos are among the most consumed formats by children, often viewed alone on mobile devices. While these are global trends, Iraqi educators say the impact is amplified by weak content regulation, rapid technology adoption, and limited parental guidance. In southern provinces and Baghdad alike, teachers report more solitary play, reduced social interaction, and irritability when screens are removed. Psychology professor Manahil al-Saleh describes childhood as 'one of the most important and sensitive stages' for learning and personality development. She notes that animated films, with their appealing visuals, leave strong impressions and often feature aggressive characters that foster fear, anxiety, and negative behaviors. 'Most children watch cartoons alone and gravitate toward programs featuring killing,' she tells Shafaq News, adding that reactions can range from fear to direct imitation — a pattern worsened when families fail to set limits on both content and screen time. From Homes to Classrooms: Possible Solutions Teacher Hikmat recommends parents reintroduce carefully selected classics with moral and educational value, avoiding exaggerated, unrealistic characters such as those in Masha and the Bear or SpongeBob SquarePants. On the other hand, Al-Quraishi suggests introducing 'screen literacy' as a school subject, teaching children how to recognize harmful content and manage viewing habits — an approach in line with UNESCO's push for media literacy worldwide. Experts agree that the most effective strategy is not a total ban, but a balanced approach: choosing age-appropriate content, setting daily time limits, co-viewing to guide interpretation, and keeping certain spaces in the home device-free. In Iraq, where the next generation is growing up with unprecedented exposure to global media, the challenge is not simply to shield children from harmful influences, but to equip them — and their parents — with the tools to navigate a fast-changing digital landscape.
Shafaq News
24-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Shafaq News
Kurdistan's Al-Sulaimaniyah hosts ''Stars and Breezes" art exhibition
Shafaq news - Al-Sulaimaniyah Artists from across Iraq gathered in Al-Sulaimaniyah for the three-day "Stars and Breezes of Kurdistan" visual arts event, drawing widespread attention from officials, the public, and media alike. Speaking to Shafaq News, Fadia Talal Al-Nuaimi, head of the Fadia Cultural and Arts Collective, described the occasion as a ''unique platform'' that brings together artists from Iraq's varied ethnic and cultural communities, featuring both an art symposium and an extensive exhibition. This event was the 16th in a series held across Baghdad and other provinces, aimed at bridging artistic experiences from central and southern Iraq with those in the Kurdistan Region, further fostering cultural exchange and openness. The exhibition also showcased more than 50 paintings and ceramic works, representing a broad spectrum of artistic styles. Among those attending were notable figures from cultural and academic circles, such as artist Dr. Mohammed Fattah, Mahabad Jamal Ashraf, head of the Visual Arts Department, and Kawthar Mohammed Amin Qadir, director of the Endowments Library. The gathering closed with the Fadia Cultural and Arts Collective honoring the participating artists with shields, medals, and certificates, marking a celebration of creativity and unity.
Shafaq News
20-05-2025
- Business
- Shafaq News
Nuclear standoff: Tehran defiant, Washington draws red lines
Shafaq News/ After four rounds of hushed, backchannel diplomacy in Muscat and Rome, the Iran nuclear talks are teetering on the edge. What was once confined to backchannels is now emerging into the open, reflected in increasingly rigid official statements, exposing a sobering reality: the negotiations have reached their most fragile point since the 2018 collapse. With each round, one truth hardens, Tehran and Washington remain locked in parallel dialogues that refuse to intersect. The long-awaited political breakthrough has not materialized. Positions have solidified, and the rhetoric has turned increasingly combative. In his latest speech, Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei struck what observers called his most pessimistic tone since the talks began, "The Islamic Republic does not see the ongoing negotiations with America yielding positive results," he said, asserting that Iran would not wait for anyone's approval. He further accused the West of harboring hidden agendas behind its focus on uranium enrichment, "The West's obsession with enrichment is not innocent." Khamenei concluded, "We do not know what will happen." This sharp escalation goes beyond media theatrics, says Dr. Jalal Jaraghi, an expert in Iranian and regional affairs. Speaking to Shafaq News, he described a two-layered landscape, 'One is media-driven, mastered by the US through alternating threats and reassurances in a carrot-and-stick policy. The other is real negotiations occurring quietly through Omani mediation.' Jaraghi emphasized that Iran views Uranium enrichment as a sovereign right, grounded in Article IV of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), which permits member states to enrich uranium for peaceful purposes. "Iran has enriched up to 60%, and that's legal," he noted, drawing parallels with other cases like Japan and Argentina, which enrich to similar levels without building nuclear weapons. "There should be no automatic link between enrichment and weaponization." US Pressure, Iranian Defiance The US Administration has adopted a tactical approach marked by conflicting signals aimed at keeping Tehran off balance. One day, President Donald Trump expresses optimism about sealing a deal with Iran; the next, he warns of dire consequences if Tehran fails to engage quickly. Experts see this as psychological warfare designed to unsettle decision-makers in Iran. Analysts in both Washington and Tehran, who spoke to Shafaq news, agree that Trump's bluster is more pressure tactic than a policy plan. Iranian officials argue that Washington's ever-shifting demands and negotiating frameworks only hinder progress. Meanwhile, Chief negotiator and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has repeatedly declared that Iran's Uranium enrichment is 'non-negotiable,' flatly rejecting the US demand for 'zero enrichment.' Iran has gone further, publicly asserting that no agreement will involve dismantling centrifuges or exporting enriched Uranium. From Tehran, International Relations Researcher Fatemeh Sayahi told Shafaq News the nuclear issue has outgrown its scientific and diplomatic roots, 'It's now about sovereignty and political identity for Iran.' Sayahi stressed that while Iran is open to lowering enrichment levels, 'It will never accept zero enrichment.' Even reformists who once advocated compromise now reject the idea, especially in light of recent US threats and perceived provocations like attempts to rename the Persian Gulf. Sayahi criticized the West's latest offer, keeping nuclear facilities while halting enrichment, as unrealistic. 'Iran believes rebuilding the infrastructure is easier than losing the capability itself. Knowledge and expertise cannot be bombed. Preserving technical capacity is the last line of strategic deterrence." America's Red Line Across the negotiating table, US envoy Steve Witkoff struck a hard line, 'We have one very, very clear red line, and that is enrichment. We cannot allow even 1% of an enrichment capability," he said, warning that any level of enrichment could be seen as preparation for a nuclear weapon. Iranian officials viewed his remarks as a complete rejection of the 2015 accord's foundations. Such rigidity on both sides has led many observers to question the viability of continuing negotiations. Still, some US experts urge caution in interpretation. Professor of Public and International affairs and the Associate Dean of the College of Public Affairs at the University of Baltimore Ivan Sascha Sheehan, told Shafaq News that 'interpreting Mr. Witkoff's statements as threatening, as some have done, is misguided,' adding that the administration has consistently communicated their conviction that a nuclear deal with the Islamic Republic is desirable and achievable, even as many in Washington's policy community believe it is unlikely to prevent nuclear breakout or sneakout. Referring to Araghchi's remarks, Sheehan suggested they imply that the Trump White House holds unrealistic expectations, 'a sign that the gap between the negotiating parties may be widening and positions are hardening.' He believed that if ongoing discussions are unsuccessful, it is reasonable to assume that the United States will take decisive action. 'What form that will take, when, and who will be involved is best left for another day.' He added that the bottom line for now is that if Tehran is unwilling to concede the entirety of its nuclear program and subject itself to inspections and guardrails, what is likely to follow will be far worse than the 'maximum pressure' policy that characterized the first Trump administration. 'The Trump administration has demonstrated patience through four rounds of talks. I suspect their patience may be wearing thin,' Sheehan concluded. Iranian analyst Hassan Hashemian, speaking from Washington, offered a darker outlook. He saw the talks heading toward a dead end, "There are no real points of convergence. If the disputes persist, we might witness a gradual escalation starting with threats and moving to something more severe." Hashemian stressed that direct conflict wouldn't erupt until all political and media escalation phases are exhausted, describing Witkoff's comments as emblematic of the new US doctrine, 'No enrichment inside Iran, not even a little.' He noted Araghchi's recent statements were aimed less at the US and more at Iran's domestic audience, saying that 'the regime knows this round will end either in a fundamental concession or in a difficult confrontation.' Internal Pressures Mount Iran's internal situation, according to Hashemian, leaves no room for compromise, 'especially after the collapse of the Resistance Axis [Iran-aligned armed groups in the Middle East, mainly in Lebanon, Iraq, and Yemen] and the disintegration of basic services inside the country.' Iran's deteriorating economic situation intensifies this sense of siege. Inflation, unemployment, repeated protests, and near-collapse in public services have created what Jaraghi described as a 'domestic pressure bomb.' Hashemian warned that any flexibility on the nuclear file would be seen as a retreat, and might embolden rivals within the regime more than outside of it. 'That's why the only viable option for the leadership is to double down, even at the cost of deeper isolation.' Final Chance or Precursor to Collapse? In this tense context, questions swirl with no clear answers. Is Washington genuinely pursuing a deal or laying the groundwork for a preemptive strike? Is Tehran playing for time, or preparing a surprise shift in negotiations? Caught in the middle is Oman, the cautious optimist hosting the talks. The upcoming fifth round has been described by one European diplomat as 'the last chance to avoid the storm.' Failure to break the deadlock could not only consign the nuclear deal to a slow death but push the entire region into a new phase—marked by zero-sum calculations, mutual deterrence, and the risk of an explosive misstep. In the end, as analysts from Tehran and Washington told Shafaq News, the nuclear file has morphed into something far larger than a bilateral negotiation. It has become an open battlefield, where every scenario remains on the table.
Shafaq News
22-02-2025
- Business
- Shafaq News
Sanctions rumours quashed: Iraq-US talks "Threat-Free"
Shafaq News/ On Saturday, Iraq dismissed reports that the United States had threatened sanctions if oil exports from the Kurdistan region were not resumed. 'There is no truth to claims that Iraq is facing US sanctions over the resumption of Kurdistan's oil exports,' said Farhad Alaaldin, foreign affairs adviser to the Iraqi prime minister confirmed to Shafaq news, adding that recent discussions with the US administration not involve any threats or pressure on Baghdad. On Friday, a Reuters report revealed that President Donald Trump's administration has been urging Iraq to expedite the resumption of Kurdish oil exports through Turkiye's Ceyhan pipeline. Washington's push comes as part of its efforts to cut Iranian oil exports under Trump's 'maximum pressure' campaign against Tehran. The return of Kurdish oil to global markets would end nearly two years of halted shipments, during which more than 300,000 barrels per day were blocked from flowing through Turkiye.
