THAT TELLS ME ALL...

 By Klaus Döring

... I need to know! Know-it-all-better, who prefer an oppressing or suppressing crab mentality should be really out of place. They poison us and our dignity and our feelings of our own worth. Unfortunately, we can find these people at any corner.

I stayed in many places worldwide - places with people belonging to different kinds of religion. I really don't care which belief people are in. Most importantly, they believe in God and they live a Christian life. I am always very happy when I find churches or prayer places - always open and filled up with praying people.

I am always very happy, when I meet hopeful and promising Christians: priests, pastors, lay people, friends, family members, who know how to share and inspire, and also know how to be patient while starting with a -maybe - "new beginning".

I am also very happy, because I still observe infinite and endless good things every day coming into my life. Slowly but surely, I started to pay attention to such things. I observe several people, who don't! I really try to do preliminary exercises for instance, for amazing things or just for a simple gratitude. With these attitudes I'll be winning each battle a thousand times against those people who live believing that God's creation goes to the dogs and kicks the bucket.

I am really happy if I meet people who understand the real meaning of responsibility. Responsibility to a child, to the family, to a company and its employees, to a public service, an association or a registered society, or anything that supports, sponsors and promotes my surroundings without being egoistic, indifferent or listless. "I don't give a damn!" 

I am always happy to notice people around me, who mean and act "YES" if they say "YES"!

I am always happy to notice something that is taken for granted: parents have time for their children and patience with the youth (really a difficult task sometimes!); someone who takes time to visit a sick neighbor or friend; someone who asks the address of a possible lonely fellow...

Every time period is in God's hands. Let's fulfill these periods and let's also allow our loved-ones at our side to live the same way. Know-it-all-betters, who prefer an oppressing or suppressing crab mentality should be really out of place. Unfortunately we can find such people at any corner. And, we must know how to deal with them.  

Is your child ready for social media?

 

By Jane Kingsu-Cheng

Published Jan 10, 2026 02:08 pm

When Australia announced plans to restrict social media access for children under 16, it reignited a familiar question for many Filipino parents. When is a child actually ready for social media?

Screens are already part of daily life, but for developmental pediatrician Dr. Jack Alexander Herrin, readiness is not about a number. It is about responsibility.

“Readiness should be more important than an arbitrary age,” he says. “A child is ready when rules are clear, and they have shown they can understand and follow them.”

The age cut-off

Sixteen falls within middle adolescence, a stage when many teens are expected to have better judgment and impulse control. Dr. Herrin explains that for younger children, developmental milestones are often set at an age when around 75 percent have achieved a certain skill. For older children, experts instead look for a point when most can reasonably be expected to make responsible choices.

Still, he cautions that age alone is not a guarantee. Even older adolescents may struggle to consistently manage online spaces.

Why social media is different

Parents often ask why social media is treated differently from television or online games. For Dr. Herrin, the concern lies in how content is delivered.

“You cannot always control what you read or watch,” he says. “It only takes one wrong click for the algorithm to keep feeding you similar content.”

Unlike traditional media, social media platforms are algorithm-driven and do not verify who is using the device. “Once the algorithm sets in, a younger child may not be aware of the effects of what they are watching,” he explains, noting that older adolescents are more likely to separate fact from fiction.

He also warns that repeated exposure can shape beliefs. “The more the algorithm refines your choices, the more you are given a biased feed,” he says. Over time, this can normalize certain behaviors or viewpoints, especially for children who are still forming values

Side effects

Beyond content, screen use also affects physical and emotional health. “Any screen use, whether for studying or for fun, will strain your eyes if there is too much of it,” Dr. Herrin explains. Screen light can suppress melatonin, disrupt sleep, and affect focus and mood the following day.

“Your physical, mental, and emotional health are all interconnected,” he adds.

Signs of readiness

Rather than focusing solely on age, Dr. Herrin encourages parents to observe behavior at home. “If your child cannot follow rules consistently, they are not ready,” he says.

Supervision remains key. “If there are no filters and no way to monitor, do not give them the freedom yet,” he adds. Privileges should be earned gradually, with trust increasing only when responsibility is shown.

A privilege, not a right

Dr. Herrin stresses the importance of reframing access to screens. “Owning a phone or creating a social media account is a privilege, not a right. It comes with responsibility,” he says. “Parents set boundaries for driving, dating, curfews—so why not for screens?”

As children grow older, rules should evolve. “Around 11 or 12, it shifts to contract setting,” he explains. These agreements can cover allowed apps, screen schedules, and clear consequences when boundaries are crossed.

In the end, Australia’s policy may influence global discussions, but Dr. Herrin believes the most important decisions still happen at home. “Readiness comes from mutual respect and the child’s capacity to follow what was agreed upon.”

No setting or age limit can replace thoughtful parenting. Knowing when a child is truly ready matters more than the number on their birthday.

Torsten Sträter sagt Tour-Auftritte ab

 Komiker ist erkrankt

:Torsten Sträter sagt Tour-Auftritte ab

Der in Dortmund geborene Torsten Sträter (59) zählt zu den erfolgreichen Kabarettisten Deutschlands, jetzt zwingt ihn die Gesundheit zu einer Pause   

Foto: IMAGO/Andreas Weihs

Ina

Michaelis-Ugwonno

12.01.2026 - 14:52 Uhr

Dortmund (Nordrhein-Westfalen) — Kabarettist und Grimme-Preisträger Torsten Sträter (59) sagt sämtliche Auftritte bis Ende März ab. Der Grund: eine Erkrankung, die eine „längerfristige Regenerationsphase“ erfordere. Das teilt sein Management mit.

Für die kommenden Wochen waren bundesweit zahlreiche Termine geplant – darunter auch ein großes Highlight: Sträter sollte mit seinem aktuellen Programm „Mach mal das große Licht an“ auch in der Kölner Lanxess-Arena (bis zu 20.000 Plätze) auftreten. Doch daraus wird nun nichts. „Mit großem Bedauern teilen wir mit, dass alle bevorstehenden Auftritte von Torsten Sträter im Zeitraum Januar bis März 2026 leider nicht stattfinden können“, heißt es auf seiner Homepage.

Comedian Torsten Sträter begeistert mit humorvollen Geschichten sein Publikum, regt dabei aber nicht nur zum Lachen, sondern auch zum Nachdenken an

Foto: Schneider-Press/Raphael Stötzel

Torsten Sträter: Auftritte fallen ersatzlos aus

Woran der Mann mit der Beanie-Mütze und dem unvergleichlichen Humor, der auch für seinen offenen Umgang mit Depressionen bekannt ist, genau erkrankt ist – dazu gibt es bislang keine weiteren Angaben. Stattdessen bittet das Management darum, „die Privatsphäre des Künstlers zu respektieren und von weiteren Nachfragen abzusehen“.   „Aufgrund der Vielzahl der Termine können wir leider keine Ersatztermine anbieten“, heißt es weiter. Informationen zur Rückerstattung bereits gekaufter Tickets könne man auf der Website des Ticketanbieters oder direkt beim jeweiligen Veranstalter bekommen. „Wir danken für Ihr Verständnis.“

Jetzt steht für Comedy-Urgestein Torsten Sträter Erholung auf dem Programm, denn die Gesundheit geht vor. Seine Fans wünschen ihm mit Sicherheit nur das Beste und schnelle Genesung.