Stop smartphone use until the age of 14?

Heart health: what athletes, families and weekend warriors need to know

Dr Sawalla Guseh, a sports cardiologist at Mass General Brigham and director of fellowship training within theCardiovascular Performance Program at Massachusetts General Hospital Heart Centre, joins The News Navigators for a timely conversation about heart health, exercise, and the risks facing athletes and active people of all ages. Dr. Guseh explains that his work focuses on caring for athletes with heart disease, or those at risk of developing it, fromelite competitors to recreational runners, triathletes, and “tactical athletes” such as police, fire and military personnel. The interview explores why younger athletes can sometimes suffer sudden cardiac arrest, often linked to genetic orstructural heart conditions, while older “masters” athletes are more likely to face coronary artery disease, what he memorably describes as problems with the heart’s “plumbing”. For Bermuda, where sport and outdoor activity are central to community life, his advice is practical and relevant: know your family history, take symptoms seriously, and understand your numbers, including blood pressure, LDL cholesterol and blood sugar. He also discusses pre-participation screening, the role of EKGs, the dangers of exercising too soon after viral illness, and why athletes should not fear specialist assessment, since sports cardiology is increasingly focused on distinguishing disease from healthy athletic adaptation. The conversation also widens into everyday prevention: the importance of movement, sleep, stress management, balanced training, and caution around stimulants and supplements. Through Dr. Guseh’s expertise, the episode showcases the depth of Mass General Brigham’s cardiovascular care and itsability to combine world-class clinical knowledge with highly personalised guidance for athletes, families, and anyone trying to live a longer, healthier life. Mass General Brigham sponsored this podcast.

Stop smartphone use until the age of 14?

In this second podcast about social media use, we speak to Una Walsh-Taylor and Mike Walsh  who founded  SmartphoneFree Childhood Bermuda [https://www.sfcbermuda.com/] which wants to delay smartphone use until at least age 14 and social media use until age 16. It’s a fascinating conversation and one that parents – and Government – should listen to and take on board. Would you stop children having a smartphone or not? Tell us why.

Jason Hayward: why I would be a good Premier

In this episode of The Full Point, Jason Hayward, the Minister of Economy and Labour, sets out why he believes he is the right person to succeed David Burt as leader of the Progressive Labour Party and, in turn, Premier of Bermuda. He speaks candidly about controversial statements from his past, discusses how the PLP can broaden its appeal to bothBlack and White voters, and addresses conversations with Housing Minister Zane DeSilva about the leadership contest. In an exclusive on this podcast last year, Mr DeSilva declared that he was going to run for the leadership, but subsequently changed his mind. It is unclear if he is going to run for the Deputy Leadership role. Mr Hayward also shares his views on Iran and the potential impact of the war on Bermuda, and explains why he does notsupport holding a referendum on joining Caricom.

Myles Darrell on Southlands, Conservation and the Fight for Bermuda’s Open Spaces

What happens when Bermuda’s environment is treated as more than just scenery? In our latest conversation, Myles Darrell of the Bermuda National Trust talks about the real pressures facing Bermuda’snatural spaces — from Southlands and open space protection to invasive species, littering, and the growing need for stronger biosecurity. What stands out is that this is not just a policy discussion. It is also about community, family, education, and the kind of Bermuda we want to leave behind. Myles brings both credibility and calm urgency to the conversation. He highlights why places like Southlands matter,why threats like red imported fire ants should concern everyone, and how practical conservation work — including youth eco clubs, cedar planting, and community engagement — can make a difference. This is a thoughtful reminder that protecting Bermuda’s environment is not separate from protecting quality of life, tourism, and national identity. It is all connected.

Podcast special: should Bermuda impose a social media ban for under-16s?

Should children under the age of 16 be banned from social media, or is a delay with stronger safeguards the better answer? In this special roundtable episode of The News Navigators, the conversation explores the growing debate around a possible social media ban for young people, inspired by moves in places like Australia and wider discussions in the UK and US. The discussion looks at the real harms linked to youth social media use, including addiction, anxiety, low self-esteem, cyberbullying, exposure to harmful content, online grooming, sleep disruption, and the pressure of algorithm-driven validation. A key theme is that social media platforms are designed to keep young users engaged, often exploiting developing brains that are more vulnerable to impulse, comparison, and peer approval. Rather than supporting a simple ban, the main view in this episode is that the issue is more complex. The focus shouldbe on whether children are emotionally and developmentally ready for social media, and on building a stronger system of protection around them. That includes parent education, digital literacy, resilience training for young people, school and community support,government action, and greater accountability for tech companies and platforms. The episode also explores the tension between child safety, freedom, parental responsibility, platform responsibility, and government regulation. While age restrictions may help, the panel argues that bans alone are unlikely to work because young people often findways around them. The stronger solution may be a combination of education, open communication, digital wellness, and platform reform. This is a thoughtful discussion on one of the biggest parenting and policy questions of our time: how to protect childrenonline without pushing the problem further underground. Tell us what you think: email thenewsnavs@gmail.com