What Is With... all the talk about Ariana Grande’s body?

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women are scared. The prevalence of ultra-thin celebrities signals a slide back into a world where 1990s heroin chic is aspirational again and, thanks to weight-loss drugs such as Ozempic, easier to attain.....It is a tonal shift from the mid-2010s, when the body positivity movement celebrated all sizes.

The idea that women’s bodies are not up for evaluation was a reaction to the cruel and misogynistic 2000s-era tabloid discussion of celebrity figures. In the body positivity years, it crystallised into a blanket prohibition against talking about women’s weight. In short, a woman’s body is nobody’s business but her own.

Qns:

1. How far do you agree that media coverage of celebrities has a positive influence on young people in your society? (Cam. 2025)

2. 'People should have absolute authority over their own body,' Discuss. (NYJC Prelim 2021)

Tate McRae’s beauty secret? Not necessarily touching the products

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Qn: 'It is dangerous to place our faith in social media influencers.' What is your view? (TMJC Prelim 2025)

When you’re told you’re ‘not autistic enough’

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For issues on social inclusion......

Qn: Apart from donating money, how else can we help the less forunate among us?

Teen who licked iJooz straw in viral video fined $600

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recall the 'sushi terrorism' episode some years back (HERE) and Singapore's own version during the pandemic period: HERE

Relate to issues on rudeness and being inconsiderate....

Qn: 'People nowadays tend to be more considerate.’ How true is this of your society?

AI short film by Singapore-based studio shows National Day Parade under zombie attack

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global scrutiny over the use of artificial intelligence in the entertainment industry.

In China, the AI-generated microdrama The Peach Blossom Hairpin (2026) was recently taken down after models and influencers accused its creators of using their facial features and outfits without consent.

In 2025, in response to growing concerns over digital fraud, Chinese regulators mandated that all AI-generated content carry explicit labels and digital watermarks.

Similarly, in the United States, entertainment guilds like the Writers Guild of America and SAG-AFTRA have established strict industry rules to protect creators’ jobs and likenesses.

Qn: To what extent should governments regulate the development and use of artificial intelligence? (NYJC Prelim 2025)

Nerf gun bullet, slipper, underwear among litter in machines to collect recyclable bottles, cans

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Thailand school shooting probe finds violent games and US school-shooting searches

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Ariana Grande and the debate over health, privacy and celebrity

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In an age of parasocial fandom, the teenage television actress-turned-pop star is far from the first to bristle when feeling that members of the public have overstepped.

fans seem to have been influenced – and perhaps felt empowered – by the success of the Free Britney movement.

Grande grew emotional when she was asked how she coped with society’s beauty standards, saying she had felt like a “specimen in a petri dish” since she was a teenager.

Will children read more if we paid them to do it?

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A National Day banner and the problem with AI use

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Gillman Barracks, Maju Forest need to be developed to meet housing needs over next decade: Alvin Tan

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Scope of hacks on US water supply widens as evidence points to Iran

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Can be seen in the light of how the US regards AI development as a potential threat to national security, 'coz AI is seen as an efficient way to hack into critical infrastructure systems of targeted states....

2 Massive Attack members given warnings, banned from re-entering S’pore over Palestinian flag display

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acts which could potentially harm the racial and religious harmony in Singapore and urge the public, including foreigners, to refrain from importing foreign politics, as this can undermine our social cohesion and the rule of law. “The peace and harmony between different races and religions in Singapore should not be taken for granted, and we must not let external events affect our society....

What Is With… coloured hair’s reputation for unprofessionalism in 2026?

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Tackle harmful social media features rather than impose total ban to protect the young: Expert panel

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direct messaging functions that may expose young users to cyberbullying and harassment as a problematic feature. The existence of anonymous or pseudonymous accounts could worsen the issue.

Other problematic features identified in the report included infinite scroll and autoplay functions, which encourage users to remain engaged for longer than they intended. Such online engagements may displace physical activity and in-person interactions that are essential for healthy development in young users.

Algorithmically curated feeds were another feature of concern as they could amplify exposure to distressing or harmful content.

social feedback mechanisms such as visible “like” counts and follower metrics encourage social comparison and validation-seeking, with potential negative effects on self-esteem and emotional well-being

Social media ‘likes’, infinite scrolling and direct messaging linked to poorer youth mental health

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Direct messaging – private one-to-one or group chats – can expose young users to unknown adults, creating opportunities for cyberbullying, sexual grooming, harassment or unwanted sexual content

The risk is heightened by anonymous or pseudonymous accounts. They reduce accountability, embolden bad behaviour and make it harder for victims to identify or report the people targeting them.

Infinite scroll and autoplay keep users on platforms longer, and may have been “deliberately designed” to maximise engagement time....create what the panel called “an effectively boundless stream of content” that plays on people’s urge to keep seeking something new.

Feeds that rank content by engagement can end up showing users more harmful content than they would otherwise encounter. This is because distressing or emotionally charged content tends to get more engagement

Visible metrics – “like” counts, follower numbers and public comments – can worsen social comparison and the need for validation, with damaging effects on self-esteem and emotional well-being

 can intensify social comparison, which can fuel body-image concerns and unhealthy eating habits, often driven by idealised portrayals of others’ lives online.

Made by AI? EU tells firms to stick a label on it from Aug 2

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Qn: To what extent should governments regulate the development and use of artificial intelligence? (VJC 2026 J2 WA3)