标签： Trinidad and Tobago

In an era dominated by digital technology where tablets and smartphones have become commonplace parenting tools, Archbishop Jason Gordon has ignited crucial discussions about implementing legislative controls on minors’ social media access. The prominent religious leader contends that certain online platforms demonstrate higher addictive potential than alcohol, advocating for regulatory measures similar to existing prohibitions on underage alcohol sales.

The archbishop’s comments emerge alongside governmental considerations to raise legal ages for alcohol, cannabis consumption, and gambling in Trinidad and Tobago. Gordon specifically referenced Australia’s groundbreaking legislation that prohibits children under 16 from accessing major social media services including Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, Threads, X, YouTube, Reddit, Kick, and Twitch.

This Australian model, currently being monitored by numerous countries, completely deactivates existing profiles and prevents new account creation for minors. Meanwhile, these platforms remain freely accessible in Trinidad and Tobago to any individual with digital devices and internet connectivity.

The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, which Trinidad and Tobago has adopted, guarantees children protections from harmful influences while ensuring their rights to development, health, education, and recreation. Archbishop Gordon argues that unfiltered social media content often exposes young minds to uncensored information that can promote detrimental behavior and unrealistic expectations.

While constitutional protections safeguard freedom of speech, religious authorities emphasize the necessity to balance these rights with protecting children from offensive and addictive content. The government’s proposed age restriction changes for substances and gambling aim to prevent early addiction and restore social discipline, initiatives that Archbishop Gordon believes should extend to digital protections through comprehensive societal cooperation and innovative enforcement strategies.

Belmont-based independent mas band Vulgar Fraction is poised to introduce its groundbreaking 2026 Carnival presentation titled ‘TantiBlak’ through two significant events scheduled for January 21 and 28. Both gatherings will convene at 24 Erthig Road, Belmont commencing at 6:30 pm, featuring a live discussion and official band launch respectively.

According to founder and creative director Robert Young, TantiBlak represents an innovative cultural synthesis that channels the anti-anti-blackness movement through the symbolic Caribbean figure of the Tantie—a revered icon embodying care, truth, and resistance. This conceptual framework extends beyond mere opposition to racism, embracing a broader practice of refusal and reimagining societal structures.

The philosophical foundation positions Blackness not as a racial category but as a dynamic condition of becoming—characterized by fluidity, incompletion, and boundless potential. This perspective acknowledges how Blackness is shaped through historical loss, survival mechanisms, cultural improvisation, and the courage to transcend externally imposed limitations.

Young explains the conceptual origin: ‘The terminology emerged from contemplating our collective response to anti-blackness, which we term anti-anti-blackness. The phonetic resonance between ‘anti’ and ‘aunty’ naturally evolved into Tantie—the reassuring figure who affirms self-worth while teaching resistance without self-erasure.’

Vulgar Fraction deliberately grounds this global discourse in Caribbean vernacular through Carnival expressions, making complex theoretical concepts accessible through masquerade, kaiso, and local cultural frameworks. The project examines how blackness transcends identity politics, functioning as an experimental space that raises fundamental questions about power dynamics, historical erasure, and how marginalized communities navigate dominant systems.

Citing philosopher Bayo Akomolafe’s concept of cracks as spaces where new worlds are rehearsed, Young emphasizes: ‘We’re fascinated by the crack not as weakness but as intelligence—precisely where the Tantie demonstrates her resilience through strategic adaptation and skillful navigation of challenging circumstances.’

The band’s aesthetic approach will feature layered black textures creating simultaneous sensations of menace and intimacy. ‘I want the presentation to feel unsettling yet affirming,’ Young notes, ‘inviting participants to confront internalized anti-blackness while reflecting on self-definition and protection.’

The January 21 live talk will feature cultural practitioners Camille Quamina, Omari Ashby, and mental health professional Shivonne DuBarry. The band launch culminates in a procession led by moko jumbie king Adrian ‘Daddy Jumbie’ Young accompanied by Egbe Omo Oni Isese drummers, with presentations by researcher Abeo Jackson and cultural creative Marva Newton. A post-Carnival discussion featuring Professor Kevin Adonis Brown is scheduled for February.

As Trinidad and Tobago enters 2026, Hazel Mohan-George, Secretary of the nation’s Safety Council, has issued a comprehensive call for safety to become embedded as a fundamental cultural value rather than merely a seasonal resolution. This urgent appeal comes against the backdrop of recent preventable tragedies, including a significant blaze at Products Central toy store in San Fernando that required coordinated emergency response efforts.

The analysis emphasizes that true safety extends beyond workplace compliance to encompass all aspects of daily life—homes, roadways, public gatherings, and seasonal celebrations including the upcoming Carnival festivities. Mohan-George systematically outlines critical risk areas: residential hazards ranging from electrical overloads and unattended cooking to improper chemical storage; road safety concerns including distracted and impaired driving; and Carnival-specific dangers such as overcrowded venues, unsafe temporary electrical installations, and alcohol-related incidents.

The framework presents a multilayered approach to accident prevention, advocating for both individual responsibility and collective action. Household recommendations include maintaining functional smoke detectors, creating emergency evacuation plans, and securing basic emergency kits. For road safety, the Council emphasizes vehicle maintenance, defensive driving training, and heightened consideration among all road users.

Particular attention is given to seasonal events, where the convergence of large crowds, temporary infrastructure, and alcohol consumption creates complex safety challenges. The guidance specifies practical measures including designated driver programs, venue capacity management, and thorough safety checks for water vessels and temporary event structures.

The Council positions safety as a continuous practice requiring proactive leadership, employee engagement, and community-wide cooperation. By intervening against unsafe conditions, acknowledging positive behavior, and educating children, Trinidad and Tobago can build what Mohan-George describes as ‘a more responsible and safety-conscious nation’ where protective measures become second nature throughout 2026 and beyond.

The Ministry of Culture and Community Development has unveiled a significant new initiative designed to provide sustained support for the nation’s cultural pioneers and veterans. Announced by Minister Michelle Benjamin, the program specifically targets those individuals who have played foundational roles in shaping the country’s cultural identity.

This comprehensive support framework aims to ensure that cultural icons and practitioners receive meaningful assistance during difficult periods, addressing concerns about their welfare and recognition. The initiative represents a formal commitment to protecting those who have contributed substantially to the nation’s cultural heritage.

The announcement, which featured Minister Benjamin alongside renowned calypso legend Timothy ‘Baron’ Watkins, has been welcomed as a necessary step in honoring cultural contributors. According to the ministry’s statement, the program will focus on three primary objectives: recognizing artistic achievements, securing the well-being of aging artists, and preserving their legacies for future generations.

In a letter to the editor, commentator Gerald Agostini praised the initiative as “long overdue” and expressed hope that the support system would remain in place for years to come. The program addresses growing concerns about the welfare of aging cultural figures who have historically received inadequate institutional support despite their significant contributions to national identity.

In a landmark achievement for environmental journalism, the Wild Tobago column has reached its 500th installment with a special expedition to Trinidad’s Icacos wetlands. This ongoing series, initiated in July 2016 by coral reef ecologist Dr. Anjani Ganase during her PhD studies in Australia, has evolved into a platform for scientific communication and environmental advocacy across Trinidad and Tobago.

The commemorative feature brought together Dr. Ganase and acclaimed birder Faraaz Abdool for a pre-dawn journey to the southwestern tip of Trinidad. Their mission: to document the spectacular biodiversity of the Icacos wetlands at sunrise. The team witnessed an extraordinary natural performance as the sky transformed through shades of yellow, salmon, pink, and blue, while the wetland came alive with avian activity.

Abdool described the sensory experience: ‘As the first light touched the horizon, the dawn chorus began. Carib Grackles jostled for position in swamp ferns, yellow-hooded blackbirds gathered in smaller groups, and yellow-chinned spinetails created a rattling soundtrack.’ The experience turned dramatic when a large spectacled caiman emerged with deep bellows and rhythmic grunts, performing mating displays accompanied by ‘dancing water’ phenomena known as Faraday waves.

The team observed over 50 scarlet ibis whirling overhead, ospreys patiently waiting for prey, wattled jacanas foraging at water’s edge, and common gallinules taking clumsy flight. Despite signage declaring the area protected, the birds’ furtive behavior suggested ongoing human disturbance.

The expedition continued to Pointe-a-Pierre Wildfowl Trust, where conservation efforts have successfully reintroduced Muscovy ducks hunted to extinction on the islands. The trust represents a beacon of conservation education, complemented by the Freebird Restaurant offering world-class meals with local ingredients.

Dr. Ganase reflected on the column’s advocacy role, particularly in challenging government plans to develop the country’s only marine protected area for resort construction. She expressed concern about current threats to Mt Irvine Reef from hotel and housing development, noting that marine ecosystems already face climate change impacts while basic management measures remain unimplemented.

The feature concludes with an invitation to all citizens to undertake their own Wild Tobago journeys, emphasizing that appreciation and respect for natural spaces can foster greater community consciousness and care for both environment and fellow inhabitants.