TAG 2022 by East Sussex College

DESIGNED AND PRODUCED BY STUDENTS AT EAST SUSSEX COLLEGE EASTBOURNE – UAL EXTENDED DIPLOMA IN CREATIVE MEDIA PRODUCTION

Front cover

tag20 MEET THE TEAM

A LOOK TO THE OTHER SIDE

EVERYDAY RAPE

SHOP SMALL

AT THE SHARP EDGE OF KNIFE CRIME

ILLUMINATE YOUR MIND WITH LUMA

YOU ARE NOT ALONE

GET THE SERVICES YOU NEED

DON’T YOU KNOW YOU’RE TOXIC?

THINKING POSITIVELY

MORE THAN ‘STRAIGHT’

A BLUE AND PINK WORLD

A PATH TO POLITICS

FEMALE MASTURBATION

SURVIVE YOUR FIRST FESTIVAL

IMAGINE HAVING NO SOCIAL MEDIA

RED CARDED

LIVE LOUNGE

THE FUTURE OF CINEMA AND THE IRON GRIP OF STREAMING SERVICES

TAG’S CONCERT OF THE YEAR

FROM POP TO PUNK

DO YOU KNOW YOUR DC?

LIFE IN A FOOTBALL ACADEMY

ANOTHER REALITY

THE COVID VACCINE: WHAT’S THE DEAL?

LET ME PLAY

ARE YOU HURTING?

IMMERSED IN HORROR

GETTING AROUND

VIDEO GAME VIOLENCE

33 WHAT YOU’RE WATCHING THIS YEAR

DO YOU WANT YOUR BUSINESS SEEN BY UP TO 20,000 TEENS AND YOUNG ADULTS? CONTACT US TODAY ABOUT ADVERTISING saffron.swansborough@escg.ac.uk

WE’RE NOW ONLINE! SCAN HERE OR VISIT WWW.TAGMAG.NET

PRINTED LOCALLY USING ENVIRONMENTALLYFRIENDLY VEGETABLE-BASED INKS BY CLIFFE ENTERPRISE Ltd.

COVER DESIGN BY JUDE FIEVEZ, UAL EXTENDED DIPLOMA IN CREATIVE PRACTICE, ART AND DESIGN

022 MEET THE TEAM

RACHEL LUCAS Project Manager

AMBER PISANI-CLELAND

GEORGE WALKER

JOE GRINSTEAD

OLLIE BLAY

Lead – Design, Video

Lead – Photography

Lead – Web, Design

JUDE MOORE

SAM ANGEL

AARON SAUNDERS

Photography

Lead – Social Media

SAM KAVAKLI

BRENNAN SMITH Journalism

Journalism, Web Editor

DAN MIDDLETON

JACK METCALFE

JOSHUA TAPP

LENNAN SENIOR

CHARLES PENDLEBURY

NATHAN MILLS

Journalism

Editorial, Design

Design

Illustration

Design

Sam Angel Ollie Blay Nicole Booker Isaiah Corrie Daniel Cracknell Martine Croxson Bobby Eke Joe Grinstead Ben Hunt Sam Kavakli Rachel Lucas Luca Manley Jack Metcalfe Dan Middleton Nathan Mills Jude Moore Jack Payne Charles Pendlebury Lauren Perry Amber Pisani-Cleland Aaron Saunders Lennan Senior Brennan Smith Joshua Tapp Ollie Tutaj George Walker Rebecca Walters Emily Willis

Journalism

Illustration

Design: Lennan Senior 1

EVERYDAY RAPE Whether you have heard it a thousand times or never before, understanding the normalisation of rape culture is extremely important.

hen reading about sexual assault (or SA), the comment section can be a minefield. People often say that rape culture is fictional. a so-called slogan made to shame men or make rape seem like a big deal. But it is. Usually, we can easily dismiss these comments as online trolls with nothing better to do than invalidate others: Though something didn’t sit right with us. We realise that some just don’t understand what rape culture is. Maybe you don’t. And If you don’t, that’s okay. Tag Mag explores some of the key issues.

What is it?

normalised or made into jokes. And this happens a lot. Every day. And it is dangerous.

Have you heard? First, this culture treats rape as a problem to be solved. Victims (often presumed to be female or feminine) are told to alter their behaviour rather than those who commit rape (often perceived as male or masculine). We understand that this attitude can be damaging and wrong. Below are some views which contribute to rape culture. How many have you heard of?

Cover up! Firstly, the easy bit. ‘Rape’ is an act of sexual penetration of the vagina, anus You might’ve heard of the “personal responsibility” or mouth of another person argument. For example, without consent. No ifs, no women are told not to go buts, no consent. out late and drink or cover ‘Culture’ is the things that a up. Although many still take group of people or a country these measures to stay safe, commonly do together over this puts pressure on women prolonged periods. This and not on rapists. Clothes, might range from the arts drinking and staying out late is to education to food. You not consent. No one is asking could say British culture is old for it. poems, university and baked beans. Sometimes, it can be It’s your fault! uncomfortable to link sexual violence with that concept. We all know that our society When people ask questions like “What were they doing doesn’t outwardly promote there?” or “How drunk were rape. We don’t walk down they?”, it implies that SA is the street and see posters likely in certain situations. encouraging us to commit it. Again, these questions But the attitude is still there. normalise rape and blame When we talk about rape victims. We do not hold rapists culture, we mean cultural and attackers accountable practices that excuse or as a society. In fact, in an otherwise tolerate sexual independent survey, we violence which can include found that 82% of teens had victim-blaming. We are been assaulted or harassed. talking about the way that we If we don’t start holding the collectively think about sexual offenders accountable, that violence. More often than not, number will only continue to it is situations in which these assaults are ignored, trivialised, rise!

“I’m scared to walk home at night, but there’s nothing I can do” They finally said yes! Say that you are at a party and see someone you want to take home. You ask to go, but they say no. So you ask again and again. Until you persuade them. Well, shocking as it might seem, that is harassment. Coercion is the act of persuading or pressuring someone to do

something until they say yes. We need to learn about consent and how no means no because pressure does not equal consent. Don’t keep asking again and again if you get turned down. You’re embarrassing yourself and hurting someone else. Basically, the rapist is to blame, and we need to understand that.

Be the Change Tag spoke to Helen Ding, the safeguarding manager from East Sussex College, about her thoughts on rape culture.

Why do you think rape culture is so normalized? “Life appears to be being sexualised; everything is about sex these days. There is an expectation that sexual interactions are the just thing that happens. I feel that physical touch is an expectation in several ways. It no longer feels inappropriate to touch someone in a personal way without consent.

How can teens help end rape culture? “Peer to peer learning is super important. I recommend talking to your friends. If you hear a mate say something

inappropriate – call them out! Point out to your friends when they do something or say something unacceptable. Maybe they didn’t know it was wrong. You could help them. But most importantly, stop blaming victims for being assaulted.

feelings. If you need to reach out, call 0808 802 9999. This is the number for Rape Crisis and can help you support a friend, learn more and report your case.

Design: George Walker Photography: Joe Grinstead

Why is educating yourself on rape important?

“It helps you support your friends. It helps understand what consent really means. Consent should only be given freely, loudly and happily. Consent cannot be given if you are drunk, asleep, coerced or silent.”

What next? We at Tag challenge you to talk. Talk to your friends. Talk to your family. Talk to your teachers. Healing really will begin once you start to confront your

Rachel Lucas

Don’t stay silent.

FURTHER INFORMATION Call NHS 111 or get help from 111 online The police, or dial 101 In an emergency, dial 999 The 24-hour freephone National Domestic Abuse Helpline, run by Refuge, on 0808 2000 247 The Rape Crisis national freephone helpline on 0808 802 9999 (12 to 2.30pm and 7 to 9.30pm every day of the year) Mankind UK: 01273 911680 www.mkcharity.org/

AT THE SHARP EDGE OF KNIFE CRIME

Halting the inexorable increase in knife crime

nives. The UK’s most accessible weapons. Tag gives an insight into the expanding world of knife crime and shows how the police can tackle the issue and even how you can avoid falling into it. We have interviewed a police investigator showing how they are dealing with it and we examine stats and facts about how and where knife crime is expanding and the current state of the problem in this country. In the last 10 years knife crime has risen hugely in the UK. Doubling from 23,000 incidents in 2013–14 to 46,000 in 2019–20. Why is this happening and who is to blame for it?

Should we put all the blame on teens and young people? Being so accessible, knives are a huge problem. In one year knives/sharp objects were the most used means in UK killings, nearly three times higher than others. Out of 44 police forces in the UK 43 of them recorded a rise in crimes involving a knife since 2011. In 2017–18 around half the offences which involved a knife or sharp object ended in assault and injury with 43% linked with robberies and around 1% leading to death. The Tag age group are one of the main targets when it comes to knife crime and in the 12 months from March 2019 to March 2020 23 people aged 17 or under were killed in the UK with many more seriously injured. 4

How can knife crime be prevented? When asked how can schools deter children from getting into knife crime, Inspector Sarah Taylor of Sussex Police said ‘Schools should be educating about the dangers of knife carrying. Young people carrying knives for protection are likely to use it if confronted. 99% of people aged between 10–29 do not carry a knife but the fear of crime leads young people to believe they may need one. Schools, parents and the police can help to quell this fear and explain the consequences.

“Carrying a knife can lead to four years in prison, even if it isn’t used” “Despite popular belief, carrying it for protection is not a defence. Also countries like the USA and Canada are unlikely to accept you into the country to visit if you have a criminal record and this ban usually lasts forever.” When asked how can parents help keep their kids from falling into that world Inspector Taylor said “Check your kitchen drawers, are any knives missing? Most young people will take a knife from home. Tell them you are a safe person to confide in and help them understand the risks

of their behaviour. Try and spot the signs that they might be carrying a knife or getting involved in a group that might do this.

How do I report knife crime if I suspect it? “There are places you can report these worries and get advice such as Fearless.org.” When asked how the police can tackle the issue this is what the inspector said “Police work within schools to help educate young people on the dangers of knife carrying. We also have an engagement van that can visit schools that has videos playing of young people that carried knives and got caught. “We are currently running Op Safety across Sussex which has used violent crime data to identify hotspots and these are regularly patrolled. Evidence has shown that regular patrols in these specific areas can reduce violent crime there by up to 80%. This will be because visible police mean offenders will choose not to commit offences in this location but it also helps people feel safe, meaning less people are likely to feel the need to carry

a weapon. Sweeps in high probability areas to find knives reporting of crime in the press is frequent and social media will have an impact too because young people may share the ideas about weapons to each other online.” As knives are so accessible it is dificult to see how this problem can easily be stopped. However it is hoped by education in schools and unglamorising the carrying of knives, eventually the trend will begin to reverse.

Jack Metcalfe Design: Sam Angel Photography: Joe Grinstead

FOR MORE INFORMATION Fearless.org www.sussex.police.uk

YOU ARE NOT ALONE Why are we prone to anxiety and how can we calm ourselves down?

any of us worry from time to time, some more than others. We all fear and worry, whether it’s over something small like a comment made at us or something big such as our parents splitting up. These feelings are normal and can even help us develop as a person. Anxiety is helpful and gives us the ‘rush’ to do a good job, such as preparing for a job interview, presentation, or exam. Once the situation has eased, the anxiety reduces. On the other hand, stress as a mental health condition is different. For example, you may feel constantly uneasy about minor things or even anything. Anxiety is one of the most commonly diagnosed mental health illnesses among students. We experience it when worried, tense, stressed, or afraid, particularly about the unknown. Anxiety can become a bigger problem if it impacts on your ability to be outgoing and live life fully.

Struggling with other people

There are many different types of anxiety, and it can be hard to detect when you or someone else is struggling. Two examples are separation anxiety and social anxiety. Separation anxiety is caused when you are worried about being detached from someone. This might be your family or even your friends Social anxiety makes you selfconscious and unable to engage and participate with other people.

“Anxiety is one of the most commonly diagnosed mental health illnesses among students.”

Brennan Smith Design: George Walker Photography: Amber Pisani-Cleland The causes of anxiety are very complicated. Many can occur at once, and some may lead to others. Possible causes include difficulties at work or school, relationship problems, and family issues.

What it’s like to be constantly fretful

People with general anxiety can worry endlessly over everyday issues or situations. This can be money, health, family, or social problems. Most people with general anxiety realise that there is no need to overworry about these things. Yet they tend not to be able to relax or concentrate. They can get physical effects such as headaches, muscle discomfort, and even unexplained pains. Insomnia, or even staying asleep for too long, is also a problem.

Medication and treatment

Most anxiety disorders get better with therapy, but the types of treatment can vary. Medication can also help, but a mixture of both can work well over time as it is not something that can be sorted out overnight. Symptoms often worsen over time if not treated at all. Have you heard of the 3-3-3 rule? It is a method that

can help people calm down and relax during stressful moments. According to indianexpress. com, this is the rule: name three sounds that you hear, move three parts of your body (fingers, shoulders, and feet) and point out three things you see. It’s an ever-so-simple rule to follow and can help many people during tough moments as it grounds you in the present.

Exclusive web interview.

Scan the QR code below to visit our exclusive online edition of Tag, where we speak to a reader about their experience with anxiety.

HELP AND SUPPORT If you are in need of any help or support, there are lots of social media accounts that can certainly help. A few examples on Instagram are: @anxiety_wellbeing @laurajaneillustrations @yung_pueblo READ MORE OF THIS ARTICLE ONLINE. SCAN HERE OR VISIT: WWW.TAGMAG.NET

Contraception Choices What matters?

Which works best?

Which method is right?

Information you can trust 6

www.ContraceptionChoices.org

DON’T YOU KNOW THAT YOU’RE TOXIC? Don’t allow yourself to become a victim, be strong, be brave and let others help

here is no doubt that escaping a toxic relationship is healthier than staying.

What is domestic violence?

Domestic violence is a serious and dangerous issue. It is aggressive behaviour within the home, typically involving violent abuse. The frightening thing is far more common than you may think at first. Did you know that six out of 10 of us have experienced abusive behaviour but never realised it? Our subconscious believed that getting abused every day was normal. We expected it and it was everyday life for us. According to the Office for National Statistics, 3.1 million of us were victims of sexual abuse before the age of 16.

Megan’s Story

Megan (not her real name) is 16, from Eastbourne, and spoke to Tag. She and her family are victims of psychological and violent abuse. “My stepdad smashed my brother’s phone, and he was left isolated. I couldn’t contact him; no one could. I’ve never been more scared for my brother“ Similar events were no strangers to Megan. And like many in her position, this took a toll on her mental health. She began to struggle with everyday life but felt that she could reach out for help and had to keep a brave face for her siblings. “I was constantly feeling down. It got worse and worse, and I realised that I had to do something. I asked my friends and those I trusted for help. I even had to call helplines.” Megan called the Samaritans when she felt useless and helpless. Talking to someone about her problems was therapeutic and gave her the release she needed.

Like many of our readers, Megan is young yet already feels like she has the responsibilities of an adult. She wanted to be out living her teenage life! But Megan found that reaching out and talking helped her heal. Please speak to someone you trust if you, in any way, can relate to her story.

Red Flags

There are always red flags in toxic relationships. Think violence, harassment or abuse. Maybe they are constantly putting you down and making you feel sad, anxious or angry. They might undermine or cause you harm. But the longer you stay and ignore these signs, the more the assailant feels invincible, and the more they can continue to hurt you. Here are some examples of red flags: •

Criticising your friends and you when you hang out with them.

•

Checking or taking control of your phone.

•

Always asking you where you’re going.

Rebuilding Yourself

There is always a positive side. Once you notice the signs and leave toxic relationships behind you, you will feel free and you can evolve and heal. You will understand yourself better and become a kinder and more compassionate person, and you will be a much better person than before the bad relationship. Get out of them, no matter how hard it might be to do. As you grow, you learn whether someone is bad or good for you. You can learn to spot red flags too. It is possible to love yourself again and find yourself. When you leave, you can learn to be confident in yourself.

USEFUL INFORMATION If you are in these situations, you can find help here: Childline – 0800 1111 Help for Adult Victims of Child Abuse (HAVOCA) offers online support to over 18s. @thesurvivorstrustuk on Instagram offers support for SA survivors. The National Male Survivor Helpline – 0808 800 5005. The Samaritans 116 723

“I’ve never been more scared” Rebecca Walters Design: Rebecca Walters Photography: Joe Grinstead

Under 19? Travel all day from just £3. Get unlimited travel in your local travel zone for just £3.20 a day with a local DayRider U19 ticket! You can also travel all over Kent and East Sussex with a South East DayRider U19 for just £5.20 a day - that’s up to 33% cheaper than the adult versions!

Download the Stagecoach Bus App

South East

MORE THAN ‘STRAIGHT’ The way we define gender and sexualities is changing, and you don’t want to be left behind.

t is no secret that gender and sexuality are mainstream topics. When you talk to your friends about it, there may be someone who disagrees with you, and you should listen to them. Tag spoke with some of our readers and got their opinions. Ultimately what you think about labels is your choice. Everyone is entitled to an opinion, as long as that opinion doesn’t damage someone’s rights. We feel that it’s important to talk to your friends about pronouns. Tag us on Instagram @tagmag_22 and tell us what you think I THINK THAT GENDER LABELS ARE (respectfully, of course!). A PERSONAL THING. My pronouns are she/they. Only if I choose to tell someone is it their business. Otherwise, people should focus on themselves. It’s your life; nobody else’s, and you owe no one an explanation. LABELS CAN BE HELPFUL. At work, No one else needs to be involved in college, and in day-to-day life, asking someone’s gender identity unless the someone’s pronouns is a good thing. said person wants them to be. It helps both parties feel comfortaI think that labels, as a whole, are ble. It’s not awkward for either of us. ways of stereotyping and categorizing Equally, if someone doesn’t want to people into society standards. Men label themselves, it’s their preference. have expectations; women have It is a personal choice and up to the expectations. I have decided not to use individual. labels to describe my sexuality simply James, he/him because it’s no one else’s business. I am who I am. Khiera, she/they

LABELS FOR SEXUALITY CAN HELP PEOPLE A LOT when working out who they are. Labels won’t always reflect someone’s identity 100%, but they can still help you understand yourself and your identity. When you understand your own identity, it can help to understand others’ labels. I identify as trans and gay. But just because I am gay doesn’t mean that I am attracted to every man I see. I don’t feel anything towards somebody unless I know them personally, too. I think this is called demisexual. But even if I’m close to them, it doesn’t mean that I’ll be attracted to them even then. Labels help your peers understand you better and your gender or sexuality. I get that some people don’t like titles because they don’t suit them, but for LGBTQ people, like myself, labels can make them feel safe and accepted. Aden, he/they

Rachel Lucas Design: George Walker Photography: Joe Grinstead

“I’m too big for this box you’re trying to put me in”

FOR ME, LABELS ARE USELESS in the context of gender and sexuality. It is an extremely personal journey that everyone has to experience to know themselves. Yet, the thought of having different ways to classify yourself as other than “human” just doesn’t appeal to me. I have no problem with people using them, though. If it gives somebody comfort or a sense of community, then more power to them. I just think we could have the same thing regardless of labels. My experience with labels has been long and confusing. I’ve been through many labels with my sexuality and gender, but I’ve decided to just not have any. It’s a freeing feeling, for sure. I’m a songwriter and performer and use my work to express myself. I have a song: “I’m too big for this box you’re trying to put me in.” I think that title perfectly encapsulates how I feel. Danni Jones, any pronouns really

FIND OUT MORE If you would like to read more on this topic, turn to page 28 9

A PATH TO POLITICS Tag interviews local Liberal Democrat parliamentary candidate Josh Babarinde

espite the next general election not being until May 2024, the Eastbourne Liberal Democrats are already making preparations to strengthen their position locally by recently announcing their parliamentary candidate Josh Babarinde. Mr Babarinde has in the last few years become quite a familiar face to the Eastbourne area and he spoke to Tag about his background, his achievements to date and his reasons for moving into politics.

“A down to Earth Eastbourne boy”

When asked to introduce himself, Josh described himself as: “A down to Earth Eastbourne boy, with aspirations to make our town, community and society an even better place and give something back to the town.”

Who is Josh Babarinde?

Josh was born in Eastbourne, where he attended both school and college. He spoke to Tag about his

experience at East Sussex College (formerly Park College) and how it has helped him to get to where he is today. “I did my A-Levels at East Sussex College between 2009 and 2011 and did Politics, Law, Sociology, Economics and the Extended Project Qualification. It was the amazing teachers who believed in me, who really gave me the confidence to dream big and achieve for me, my family and our town. I was also elected as Student Union President and as a student governor when I was doing my A-Levels. This was one of my first experiences of representing people and fighting for them at the top table. It has set me up well for my role as our town’s Lib Dem parliamentary candidate – and, if the town backs me at the next election – as our MP!” It was while away at university in London that he started to volunteer, working with ex-offenders and ex-gang members: “It was as a result of that work that I set up my business aimed at supporting those youngsters away from crime and into employment. The business was focused on training these exoffenders to repair cracked iPhone screens. It allowed them to earn money and develop new skills.” As a result of his hard work, Josh was awarded an OBE which pushed him even more to want to give back to the town. Last year, he decided to stand as a local councillor and just recently he was selected as the new Lib Dem MP candidate for Eastbourne. Josh spoke at length to Tag about wanting to be ‘’a vocal and visible champion” for Eastbourne, listening to the public and giving the town what they want and deserve. Having a greener and fairer Eastbourne are two issues important to Josh. He wants Eastbourne to play its part in combatting climate change but he also wants a fairer Eastbourne. He believes everybody should have the same opportunities regardless of their upbringing and start in life. However, the topic he was most passionate about was the NHS and the DGH. “A major thing that I stand for is investment in our NHS, in particular our hospital. This government promised our town that we will have a new hospital and I’m very concerned that this promise may be broken.” Voting gives us all a voice. It’s important to vote so that other people don’t make decisions that don’t necessarily suit our needs. We are lucky to be living in a democracy where we as the public get to choose who we want in power to represent us. When it comes to the voting system, many disagree with it. An important issue has been the ‘votes at 16’ debate. Although many believe that 16 year olds are too young to vote, other people believe that if you’re allowed to join the army and get

married, then you should be able to vote and have your say. Josh told us: “I believe that we should have a proportional voting system in the UK which is one where overall the percentage of votes is directly linked to the percentage of seats in parliament that parties have.”

Sam Kavakli Design: George Walker Photography: Amber Pisani-Cleland

What does Josh want to bring to the town and what does he promise for teenagers? “If people want a town where we have a thriving new local hospital, a town that is fairer, a town where there are more opportunities for young people to go and achieve their aspirations, a greener planet, integrity and decency in politics against corruption then those people should vote for me! This is what I stand for!” Josh moved on to the promises he wants to make for our generation, our education and making sure we all have the opportunities to thrive and develop skills for later in life. He also touched on local infrastructure: with teenagers wanting to keep fit and active, the town needs to improve the cycling facilities. Finally, he wants to make it easy for us to access the housing ladder by building more homes in the right places and making them more affordable.

FIND OUT MORE Josh’s office is at 100 Seaside Road. Email: josh@josh.org.uk. Drop in or drop him an email if you want to get involved.

“My final message would be: politics is all around us. Politics can change how our schools work, how we solve a climate emergency. Politics determines whether or not we can buy a flat, what kind of job we may or may not be able to go into. Politics is linked to how fulfilled our lives are and how happy we can be and I stand for a situation for a society where we can chose to lead the kind of lives we want to. So I will say to readers, if that’s what you believe in too and if you want someone as your local MP who gets you and has the same sort of path as you then I’m your guy!“ The next general election is going to make a huge difference to our nation with a new generation of voters finally having a right to give our opinion and vote for who we want to represent our constituency. Who these new voters choose depends very much on how representatives like Josh put themselves forward over the next few years. Will Josh Babarinde be the vocal and visible champion he promises to be? 11

Whatever your sexual health needs

SURVIVE YOUR FIRST FESTIVAL Life hacks for finding freedom without your parents

ummer 2022 will be the first big holiday that we have had from school and college since our age group became Covid-vaccinated. For many of us, 2022 will be when we experience our first festival. Therefore Tag is here to tell you the essential festival hacks. Festivals were booming last year, with tickets selling out instantly as we all clamoured to get out there again. Festivals are amazing, a great place to socialise and have fun, but it’s not always great. It’s important to be aware of the negatives. Thankfully, you’ve come to the right place to find out everything you need to do, pack and wear.

Stay Cool

Firstly, the main thing to be aware of is your own personal health. Make sure you’re looking after yourself. We know it’s hard to sleep with music banging on all night and people talking around you, but it’s crucial that you get a few hours rest in each day, otherwise your body will be exhausted. As festivals occur in the summer when the sun is shining, it’s important to keep your skin safe by wearing suncream and a hat.

Highs and Lows

Secondly, as we are sure you’re aware of, there are lots of drugs and alcohol at festivals. Alcohol is okay if you’re over 18, but however old you are, know your limits, you don’t want to ruin the experience by feeling ill the whole time. Keep an eye on your drink at all times as it is a risk that drinks get spiked. If you are drinking, don’t mix your drinks. It’s a good idea to alternate any alcoholic drinks with water or a soft drink, and if it’s hot, take water! Drugs are illegal and are a big problem in festivals but it’s difficult to stop as people manage to sneak them in. Beware that you also

don’t know what you’re buying. You could be paying £10 for a paracetamol tablet! As with any drug, you don’t know what they are cut with because they’re on the black market. Do you want to be ingesting a household cleaner? The best thing to do is stay clear. If you see someone consume something and you are worried, it is important to get them help instantly. This is the same situation with yourself too, make sure you’re with a group or someone you know at all times so you don’t get lost or left behind.

Ticket Touts

Drugs aren’t the only thing to look out for. Ticket fraud and ticket cloning are a problem as there are revellers that do anything to avoid paying the large fees for tickets. People can steal your code if you put it on social media along with personal information. Some touts sell fake tickets so you have to make sure you buy them from a secure site. Tag spoke to Jay Dinnis (18) from Crowborough, who went

to the Reading Festival in 2021 and asked him a few questions about his experience. He claims he felt “so alive” and ‘energetic’ that he got to experience his favourite artists live with his friends. He “never felt unsafe” as there were always people there if you needed help. We asked him about drugs and he replied “[They] did not affect the festival as the festival was never interrupted”. He believed people take drugs because “they feel pressured into doing so” as their peers are doing them. Tag also interviewed Rhian Hamilton (18) from Hailsham, who also went to Reading in 2021, about her festival. She mentioned that it was “the best experience of her life”. She said that “the festival was so needed as we haven’t socialised like that for a long time due to Covid”. “There were a few drugs going around but me and my friends all stayed away from them.” We asked Rhian whether she felt safe, her response was: “There were a few moments where I felt uncomfortable,

other than that I felt safe.” To finish off, here’s a quick packing list of essential items that you’re going to want to take to your first festival: • Refillable water bottle • Hat • Toothbrush and toothpaste • Earplugs • Face mask • Baby wipes and deodorant • Suncream • A tent and camping chair (if you’re staying) • Portable charger • A bag for your belongings and a small bag to carry with you at all times for your valuables. • Condoms • Paracetamol Brennan Smith Design: George Walker Photography: George Walker, Amber Pisani-Cleland 13

Jack Metcalfe

Design: Aaron Saunders

Tales from the dark side of international football

C ARD

ootballers are some of the greatest heroes and role models to teenagers. We look up to them for their athleticism, talent, work ethic and in some cases, their work with the under-privileged. However as in all works of life, pain, shame and suffering can follow them off the pitch.

Justin Fashanu

The story of Justin Fashanu is sad and awful. Fashanu was an exceptional football player, but his legacy has nothing to do with his performance on the pitch. He was the first openly gay black English footballer. Amid racism In October 1990, Fashanu publicly came out. He made his public debut under the headline “£1M soccer star: I am GAY.” He was shut out by his family and by the black community

for his sexuality. He joined Maryland Mania, a US football team in the late ‘90s, but his new start was cut short when he was accused of sexual assault against a young person. He believed it wouldn’t be a fair trial and fled back to Britain, where on 3 May 1998, he was found dead. Fashanu was an openly gay man, stigmatised for his sexuality and driven to commit suicide.

Gambling’s grip

Gambling is one of the darkest sides of football, with many footballers having their lives damaged by gambling. In his show, Paul Merson: Football, Gambling and Me, he explained his story and how it affected his life. The show highlighted how his addictive lifestyle of gambling every day affected him, even after being off it for

many months. Gambling promotion is so prevalent in broadcast football that you can see betting logos over 700 times a game and over six times a minute, showing gambling’s hold on the game.

Criminal ties and drug addiction

Diego Maradona is one name that always comes to mind when football scandals are discussed. Maradona was one of the greatest players to ever touch a football but the other side of his life got in the way too many times. His time in Spain, playing at Barcelona will always be remembered for the fight that started against Athletic Bilbao in the Copa Del Rey final in the 1983–84 season. His violence led to his suspension, but instead of serving the sentence, he left Spain to move to Italian club, Napoli. Although he was an absolute legend on the pitch, his criminal ties and drug addiction followed him. His drug addiction became more prominent and eventually began affecting his career. In 1991 he had a drug test which came back positive and was given a 15-month ban. He never returned to Napoli and left the club. The illegal lifestyle followed him and continued to hamper his career. In his last international tournament – the 1994 World Cup – he scored a brilliant goal against Greece and sprinted towards the camera screaming and shouting with his eyes bulging out of his face. This would be his last goal for Argentina as he was again caught doping, testing positive for ephedrine and leading to him being kicked out of the World Cup.

Nobbling the opposition

Diego Maradona 14

The PSG team were out for dinner as they celebrated

success, being unbeaten at this point in the season, regulars in the Champions League and winning the league title last season. Midfielder Kheira Hamraoui accepted a lift home from team mate Aminata Diallo. As they arrived at Hamraoui’s house they were approached by two masked men who instantly began beating Kheir using a metal bar. Her legs, the most important part of the body for a footballer, were the focus of the attack and she was badly injured. Diallo was left unharmed and nothing was stolen which really raised suspicion. A few days later Diallo was arrested as in connection with the assault. Due to injuries sustained during the attack, Hamraoui missed playing in a Champions League against Real Madrid and the player to take her place was Diallo. Diallo was freed by the police without charge and has always denied any wrongdoing. With the rise of the women’s game and the deep pockets of the PSG owners, the stakes are very high for players to prove themselves and try to earn new and more lucrative contracts.

Conclusion

Football is meant to be a beautiful game, but after reading these stories, perhaps even your favourite player has a dark side. It does make you wonder how badly money and fame can affect even the most talented and privileged people. How much of an impact would it have on you?

HELP, ADVICE AND INFORMATION National Gambling Helpline 0808 8020 133 Stonewall 0800 0502020

Safer Sex... TIA

L·

NO N-JU DG E MEN TAL

Design: JudeMoore

· FR EE ·

TIAL IDEN ONF E·C FRE

· NO

T IA

L·N ONJUD GEM ENT AL

L · NON-JU ENTIA D GE FID M ON

Your local GP may provide a range of sexual health services. All GPs provide cervical smears, contraceptive pills and the emergency hormonal contraceptive pill. Many GPs also provide contraceptive implants and coils, and STI and HIV testing

· FR EE ·

L· TA EN

JU N-

(NHS)

N TAL · FRE E · CO

people aged 15–24 have Chlamydia, which makes it the most common STI.

85%

of women and over 70% of men classified as having had unsafe sex in the past year. (James O’Loan, Chemist4U)

The East Sussex C-Card scheme is a free and confidential condom distribution network for young people aged 13–24 in East Sussex. It aims to provide quick and confidential access to condoms, supported by accurate contraceptive and sexual health information.

EM E

1 in 12

NTIAL · NON-JU D GE IDE M NF

If you attend a secondary school in East Sussex, the school health service and nurses can provide you with confidential information and support about sexual health and contraception. Young people, aged 11–19, can text the ChatHealth service on 07507 332473.

L· TA EN

FI D

66%

of people accessing emergency contraception are aged 24 or under. (East Sussex County Council)

0808 1681282 eastsussexsexualhealth.co.uk

·N TIAL IDEN ONF E·C FRE

-JU

DG E

@eastsussexsexualhealth 15

LIVE LOUNGE

ince the start, our team at Live Lounge has aimed high. We have always wanted to broadcast live talent in professional music videos, in professional studios, using professional equipment. Quality has always been at the forefront of our work. “Live Lounge is student run and we get outside acts to come in and use our spaces. Please do come down, we are always looking for acts and artists. The more the merrier!” organiser Sam Holloway told Tag. One band, Cloudy and her Meatballs, let us know what they thought of working in Live Lounge. “It was a valuable experience that taught us so much about the relationship between audio and visual”. Our team is committed to helping all artists understand the process so that you gain some industry knowledge and are comfortable with us. An obvious advantage of working with Live Lounge is that you will have our team working on a music video of your performance. 16

If you can sing or perform, then listen up!

“Boost your fanbase!” Our photographers and videographers are kind, talented and will give you an excellent experience and professional video for you to show to your friends family and crucially for networking and marketing yourself in the music scene. Students and staff give their time to create a free and nearprofessional quality experience, for an artist or band, and this dedication is invaluable. Learning behind-the-scenes is almost as rewarding as performing for us. It is sure to give you some confidence too!

About us

Live Lounge is a great place for musicians and media students to collaborate. With all the team around you, you will always have support. Even better, ESCG Live Lounge is open to all those in and around the college. Founded in 2017 as SDC Live Lounge, it has officially rebranded to meet your needs and professional expectations. Releasing content weekly, we are constantly on the lookout for new talent. Posting your music videos on YouTube and releasing sneak peeks and previews through our social media, it is truly an invaluable experience.

If you can sing or play and have the skills to put on a show, come to us for a high quality mix and use our professional equipment. You will learn industry secrets, use professional equipment and be featured in your own music video. Get in touch because we would love to hear and see your skills. Instagram – @escg_livelounge or check out the QR code below!

Rachel Lucas Design: George Walker Photography: Joseph Grinstead

ONLINE @escg_livelounge https://youtube.com/c/ ESCGLiveLounge

TAG’S CONCERT OF THE YEAR REVIEW KSI Wembley Arena February 2022

ess than a year ago, Wembley was covered in disgrace. A member of England’s football team was racially abused, teenagers were locked inside, a global pandemic hit, and protests got out of hand. Football fans were frustrated, and we were nervous about stepping back into Wembley again. Luckily, it felt incredible to be standing inside watching an inspiring young black icon perform to a massive venue of ecstatic people. KSI, of course. KSI was on a tour celebrating

his newly released album, All Over The Place, and promoting a new hydration drink released with YouTube personality, Logan Paul. His last show on his tour was performed at Wembley Arena.

What happened

The atmosphere alone was electric. The lighting throughout the show was relevant to the song, mood, and visual effects. The sound quality and volume were second-to-none. Massive subwoofers hung from the roof, blasting music so loud that you

could feel your insides shaking, even in the furthest seats. The pre-show acts were smaller artists from the UK. KSI wanted to show his city some love by helping out some lesser-known talents and letting them perform. These acts performed in his sold-out venue

“you could feel your insides shaking” to nearly 12.5K people. Among the artists that performed on stage were Anne Marie, Nathan Dawe, Randolph and SX. The music was enough to get people moving. Mosh pits and circles broke out. Despite the chaos, KSI remained loyal to his fans and stopped the show when audience members appeared faint. All were okay,

Joshua Tapp Design: George Walker but this was a great move by this artist. He regularly checked on the audience to see if everyone was enjoying themselves.

Our thoughts

With the Wembley Arena show being KSI’s last performance of the tour, KSI is planning to release yet another album, grow his drink company, work on projects with the Sidemen, and try and progress his mainstream media status. Our rating for this show is five stars out of five. This show was a once in a lifetime experience that will go down in the history of KSI’s achievements.

FROM POP TO PUNK

Dan Middleton Design: Sam Angel

Crawlers

Kawala

The Mysterines

Hot Milk

Making their way into the official UK singles chart, Crawlers are a new band from Liverpool, formed by three childhood friends each having a passion for music. BBC Radio 1’s Jack Saunders gave their EP high praise live on air. This band has been described as having a real up-and-coming feel to them.

Kawala’s debut album Better with You was released on March 4th, 2022. The song’s lyrics lean into the band’s growth as people and as artists. The cover of the album has been partly designed by those that have helped the band get to where they are today. Currently, Kawala are getting ready for their 2022 tour.

Selected as BBC Radio 1’s Future Artist for January 2022 The Mysterines made their debut album with some struggle through the three lockdowns. The goal of their music is to start a conversation around topics like grief and heartache through humour. They’re getting ready for their 2022 headline tour.

The sense of not letting life slip through your fingers is at the core of their punk ethos. This has given them great success, quickly making their mark with over 25 million streams on Spotify. Their honest and inclusive approach to their lyrics bring more of a community feel to their performances and music.

INSTAGRAM

@crawlersband)

@kawalagram

@themysterines

@hotmilkhotmilk

LIFE IN A FOOTBALL ACADEMY

Academies are always looking for talented individuals to become future stars, but the reality is that not everyone will end upin top flight football

he journey of an academy trainee usually begins when they sign a ‘schoolboy/schoolgirl contract’, which is then renewed every one–two years and this lasts until they are 16. At this point, the academy will decide whether they want to offer the player a place on their training scheme and if so they will be offered a ‘scholarship contract’ and successful players will eventually be offered a professional contract. In reality, not many players progress directly through to the first team, and either play competitive football in the under 23s squad or go out on loan to a lower league club. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing, as the more playing 18

time an individual can get, the better.

The development of the young player

Players participate in training twice a week; then at the weekend, they play a football match against another academy team. Academy players are given thorough assistance and training from the club’s staff and are even given practical homework and training on nutrition.

It’s not always a dream come true

Sometimes, things don’t go as hoped, as it is really difficult for academy members to graduate to the first team. When players

get to a certain age, the first team will either offer them contracts or release them, as they could be getting injuries or are simply not good enough. When players are released, they are left without a club and potentially a job. Luckily, players are put on a list, and other clubs can approach them, but they will end up playing football at a lower level. Tag found out that there are roughly 12,500 players in the English academy system right now, but only 0.5% of undernines at clubs are likely to make it into the first team.

First hand experiences of young football players Tag interviewed two former

Sam Kavakli, Jack Metcalfe Design: George Walker Photography: George Walker & Joe Grinstead academy players: Amber Pisani-Cleland (19, Eastbourne) and Ellis Jewell (19, Eastbourne) to get a better understanding of their experiences. Which football academy/ies are/were you in been part of and what was your experience like? Ellis “I was a part of Crystal Palace academy at eight years old and then after I was in Brighton’s under 11’s academy. I really enjoyed it and it was really good to gain experience

in the football world for someone trying to become a footballer.” Amber “I was part of Brighton Women’s FC. The experience of being with experts who know your own strengths and know how to develop your skills was really great.”

you and the coaches? Adrian “The relationship between me and the players was competitive. It was a tough environment because everyone knew they had to prove themselves to a potential new club. The coaches were very nice as they wanted me to feel comfortable.”

Do you think that starting at a football academy at the age that you did is the right time? Ellis “I think it can be a positive and a negative thing. I think it’s a lot of activity for a kid at that young age but if your body can cope with it, you have a good chance of becoming a football player.” Amber “I think for me starting at seven years old, I was able to grow the confidence in not being scared to tackle people and go for the ball. I think learning at a young age benefits people much better as you will learn skills at the basic level and you can then develop them as you grow in age.”

When did you realise that a career in football is very hard to achieve and did it put you off wanting to pursue a career in it? Adrian “At a certain age around 13 or 14 I felt I was good, but not as consistently good as those around me. I had no reason to push myself to keep training every day because of the influence of friends and life outside of football. I’d say I knew I wasn’t going to play football at a serious level when I hit 14, and the coach at my club would ask me to go to training and develop my skills, but I lacked the drive to brush up on my skills. I ended up playing football only out of leisure and for fun.”

Are there any tips you could give to young people who are interested in the football industry? Ellis “My advice would be to have belief. If you don’t believe in yourself, you won’t be able to do it. You have to believe in yourself before you make any steps. So work hard, have belief and never give up!” Amber “If you are interested make sure you do it and make sure you always enjoy it and don’t let the fun and passion leave you. Don’t do it for anyone but yourself!” Tag later interviewed another former academy member, Adrian Nakasila about what his experiences were like as a young player. When did you enter the world of football? Adrian “I was introduced to playing football at the age of about five. I was playing for Peacehaven FC.” What were the relationships like between yourself and the other players, and between

A great aspiration

Becoming a football player is a dream for many young people who aspire to become as good as Samantha Kerr or Cristiano Ronaldo but there is a lot of hard work that you need to put in, in order to achieve the goal of becoming a professional superstar. Academies are a great experience and they give you a great opportunity but football is a tough and ruthless industry. The number of players who hit the top is low and this factor can hurt a lot of young players. Are you or a younger sibling interested in joining a football academy? Check out the website below to find out more.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION https://playerscout.co.uk/

EASTBOURNE YOUTH RADIO LIVE ON AIR 16-18 NOV 2022 www.eyr.org.uk

THE COVID VACCINE: WHAT’S THE DEAL?

Sam Kavakli, Joe Grinstead Design: George Walker Photography: Amber Pisani-Cleland

Why are people either for or against having it?

hen the Covid-19 form of coronavirus appeared at the end of 2019, it spiralled out of control; death rates all around the world soared. Everyone, professional or otherwise, knew that something had to be done, and fast. By the end of 2020, AstraZeneca and Pfizer were among many pharmaceutical companies that were nearing the end of the race to create a vaccine. By November 2020, both companies had held clinical trials, and gathered enough data to know that the effectiveness of their vaccines were 70% and 95% respectively at preventing serious illness. In December 2020, both versions of the vaccines were approved, and the vaccine roll out began. By May 2021, the UK reached a milestone of having delivered over 60 million doses. So far in 2022, the outcome of the vaccination programme including a booster is very positive. With the vaccines remaining effective and ultimately preventing deaths, the UK and other European countries are now under pressure to come together to ensure that vaccines are also provided to poorer countries. 20

Why is there a divided opinion about the vaccine?

Most people have been willing and thankful to be able to have the covid vaccine and ensure they help prevent the spread of the coronavirus. However, despite professionals advising everyone to have the vaccine, there are a large number of people who are against it and even go as far as to publicly protest against it. There are many reasons for vaccine hesitancy: the initial side effects of the vaccine itself, the blood clotting concerns surrounding AstraZeneca, the constant barrage of facts and myths that consume the internet, the belief that our immune systems should be left to fight the virus itself and simply the fact that the vaccines weren’t trialled and tested for as long a period as they would usually be.

Arguments for the vaccine

To get a professional opinion about the vaccine, we asked an expert from the NHS for their views so that we could offer some factual information to our readers.

Tag first asked if the vaccine was safe. We were told that although the vaccines hadn’t been through the usual thorough testing process that most vaccines would have, they are still our safest option. Everyone who gets vaccinated helps keep the hospital numbers down and the people who are fully vaccinated have most definitely made the rates in hospitals go down. They also believe that a lot of the negative opinions around the vaccine have been down to the internet and as well as a more openly opinionated society. Those that chose not to get vaccinated and went on to develop Covid-19, suffered a lot more and many ended up in intensive care.

Arguments against the vaccine

Tag also got the chance to speak to someone who is against the Covid vaccine, however, they have chosen to remain anonymous. It was quite clear that they believed the vaccine to be experimental and unsafe, and they claimed that companies were profiteering. They advise people who are thinking about taking the vaccine to simply change their lifestyle instead, protecting yourself and your immune system. They openly admitted to the internet refining and fueling their suspicions about Covid vaccination. When we asked if they had received any other vaccines, they said no, but they remained adamant that they weren’t antivax, they just believed it was unnecessary. They said “The Covid ‘vaccine’ is not a vaccine. I call it a shot because it does not behave like a vaccine. Also, it will not solve our problems.

The only thing that can solve it is natural herd immunity.” Finally, Tag spoke to East Sussex’s Youth Healthwatch team who have been distributing Covid vaccinations. Staff member Ed Peasgood (18) has been reviewing a study into attitudes to the vaccine: “Lots of young people (68%) went through their family and parents to find out information, and get advice, on vaccinations. This highlights the need for a whole-family approach where communications professionals and services connect with and engage the whole family in their health. My advice to young people who may be scared about the COVID vaccination would be to use the research and information services online to support you to make an informed decision.”

“Everyone who gets vaccinated helps keep the hospital numbers down” To conclude

According to the website covid19.who.int, as of the end of March 2022, there have been over 480 million cases worldwide and over six million deaths. However, over 10 billion doses of the vaccine have been given. We live in a democracy which means that we are all entitled to make our own choices. However, if the pandemic has taught us anything, it is that it is not simply about protecting ourselves, it’s about protecting our loved ones and those around us.

ARE YOU HURTING?

Sam Kavakli Design: George Walker Illustrator: Kian Westlake

How to look after ourselves and each other through mental health problems

ental health issues are increasingly common in people of our age. According to our survey, nearly 40% of students believe they have bad mental health. Over 90% suffer or know someone who has mental health problems. Tag investigates how we can support ourselves and each other through mental health problems.

What should we look out for?

Mental illness is indiscriminate. It affects young and old, all genders, and individuals of every race, ethnic background, education and income level. Types of it can range from obsessive-compulsive disorder and generalised anxiety disorder to bipolar and schizophrenia. How it affects people can be different for anyone. Common symptoms of mental health problems include extreme mood swings, feeling down for long periods, withdrawing from friends and activities, low energy, feelings of anger, and paranoia.

How can we cope?

Talking is a well-known therapy for mental health. Opening up the discussion with your friends and family can make a huge difference. When ITV started the Britain Get Talking campaign, we were shocked by the impact it had. 43% of those who saw or heard about it got in touch with family and friends, reaching over three million people, with 2.8 million people starting the conversations. Talking to each other allows you to open up and share your feelings. There are also plenty of activities that you can get involved with to help you cope and feel better. Maybe use simple breathing techniques or thoughtful mind games to help calm yourself down. Sitting quietly by yourself while reading, listening to music, or doing things with your friends is also a great way to cope.

Keep it positive

Eastbourne Youth Radio produced a broadcast focusing on keeping upbeat and improving mental health. In the Positivity Hour, they played lively music and interviewed the head of the wellbeing team at East Sussex College, Helen Ding. Sometimes we might prefer not to talk to someone we know, or at school

or college when struggling. Helen told Eastbourne Youth Radio where we could go instead. “The college has signed up for a wellbeing platform called TogetherAll, which is pretty awesome. It’s got loads and loads of stuff on it, so you can talk to people from across the country. The military, the NHS, and colleges and universities all use it too. It’s got chats on it, it’s got help packs on it, it’s got journals; there are all sorts of things on it, and it’s really, really useful.”

Get the help you need

One in four of us has experienced mental health problems. If you feel that you are suffering, you may need to ask for support. Start by talking to your parents and teachers at school. There is always professional support that can be found, such as via the NHS. Those around you can also play a big part in making you feel better. Reach out to your friends or family. Talking about your feelings, asking for help, taking a

break, caring for others and accepting who you are are all ways of looking after your mental health. Look after yourself, look after others, and treat others as you wish to be treated.

“Open up and share your feelings” FIND OUT MORE ABOUT MENTAL HEALTH FROM THESE CHARITIES Mind – www.mind.org.uk Mental Health UK – https://mentalhealth-uk.org/

GETTING AROUND

Dan Middleton Design: George Walker Photography: Amber Pisani-Cleland

How accessible is Eastbourne?

“We all rely on being able to get to where we are going”

ccessibility is an important part of everyday life. We all rely on being able to get to where we are going. But for those of us with a disability (visible or hidden), or those of us with other limiting conditions, the mere prospect of getting around can be torture. Why is this, and what are local authorities doing to address the problem? When carrying out observations in Eastbourne town centre, some issues became apparent. For example, a large portion of the pavements around the area had cracks in them. As well as being uneven, this makes getting around more challenging and difficult for a large number of people, including those of us that use wheelchairs. It was also observed that some shops in Eastbourne had small cattle pen-like layouts. This design makes it hard for those of us that use a wheelchair or that have limited mobility to have access. This

layout can also make shopping, another task that should be straightforward, challenging and stressful for those of us that are claustrophobic or have autism. Tag spoke with the chair of the Eastbourne Access Group, Brian Day, about this issue, “the smaller shops do have access problems because their aisles are not wide enough.” He went on to mention that “it would be difficult to make it a legal responsibility but it certainly should be a moral one”. Eastbourne Borough Council provides Blue Badges for those that need access to closer

car parking spots. This was a topic that was brought up by Brian, “Blue Badge parking is insufficient in numbers now. The is only about one parking space for every 60 Blue Badge holders. This proportion will decrease once Phase 2 of the town centre movement and access scheme starts, with approximately 16 spaces being lost and replaced by six”. Travel is another area in which access is important. Stagecoach offers Journey assistance cards and the aim behind these is to make travel easier for those with hidden disabilities like autism. These

cards are designed to be shown to the driver.

USEFUL LINKS If you are interested in discovering more on this topic there are many great charities that are willing to help. Here are some useful links: eastbourneaccessgroup. org.uk www.scope.org.uk

A LOOK AT BOTH SIDES State versus private education Dan Middleton Design: Sam Angel Photography: Amber Pisani-Cleland

“No matter your background or income, education opens doors and unlocks pathways” the best way to help each child achieve their full potential. “

Extracurricular activities

ost of those in power today have gone through private education, be they lords or prime ministers. However, Tag knows that most of our readers attend state schools. We wanted to look into the differences in schooling to see which one is better. Does one have an advantage over the other?

Why is education important?

Education is vital to society. It helps us gain qualifications, which enable us to enter jobs in the adult world. Whether privately funded or state-owned, there is no question that it is essential. Many famous faces have come out of both state and private education. Believe it or not, business entrepreneur and TV star Lord Alan Sugar went to a state school. Looking at how much Sir Alan has achieved, it is evident that you don’t necessarily have to pay for education to become successful. Another famous face to come out of state education is Youtuber Zoella. She attended The Corsham School, a secondary sixth form. Youtuber and musician KSI went through private education with his

parents saving up to send him there. KSI originally wanted to be a doctor or lawyer but decided that he would be a YouTuber instead.

What makes state and private education different?

Tag wanted to get the opinions of education leaders in the private sector. We spoke to Tom Lawson, headmaster of Eastbourne College (a private school), about this topic. He said “Our culture has a legacy of racism, sexism, and making prejudiced judgments in favour of privateschool-educated people. I think all of these biases are diminishing over time“. He went on to say “I think that private schools do better at creating an allround environment, so young people are confident in talking to adults, which can be an advantage in job interviews.” Tag also asked Mrs T (not her real name) at Gildredge House for her opinion. “It depends on the school management and staff how effective the schooling is and how willing the relevant child is to learn. Each child is different, and teachers must learn

Tag is aware that education doesn’t only happen within the classroom. Extracurricular activities and clubs can help build a better-rounded community. There is a stereotype that private schools do this better, but is this true? Mr Lawson had this to say: “The day tends to be a lot longer to account for the teams, ensembles, squads, clubs, etc. which are programmed in as part of the day.” He then said “Some private schools put more emphasis on academics, some less, but essentially, most try to offer that full product.”

A student’s opinion

Tag spoke to Luke Hearne, who went to both state and private schools. “My experience of private education was very enjoyable but also restricting. I realised this and left to go to a mainstream college. I believe mainstream has provided me with some valuable skills that I would not have had otherwise.“ He went on to say “I would critique mainstream schools when I looked at my friends who went through the system. There is less time spent looking at students’ well-being, and more time spent getting the grades and pushing them through the system.” Often, as students, we feel that education is not worth it. Something that we are forced into. Tag feels that this viewpoint is far from the truth. No matter your background or income, education opens doors and unlocks pathways. 23

PROUD SUPPORTERS OF TAG MAGAZINE

Our Vision ‘To be the best place to do business in the UK’ Established in 1892, we are the largest town chamber of commerce in the southeast and an organisation that works with its members to create a strong local economy.

Our Mission Statement To enable thriving and sustainable businesses that provide secure and stable jobs with a great work life balance. If you want to manage a successful business, join us and be part of the Chamber network, working with like minded business people for the success of the town. For more information call 01323 641144

www.eastbourneunltd.co.uk

Edeal Enterprise Agency 80% of new businesses fail in the first year because they don’t know what they don’t know. If you work with Edeal you have a 90% chance of surviving this period and creating a successful long term business. We provide start-up support, entrepreneurship, business mentors, coaching, social media, marketing and finance training and 1-2-1 advice in any area of business. All of this is free of charge as it is fully funded by Eastbourne, Lewes and Wealden councils. For more information call 01323 641144

www.edealgroup.org

SHOP SMALL

Rachel Lucas Design: George Walker Photography: Joe Grinstead

The purpose and integrity of small businesses within our community

mall businesses. They provide us with handmade, customisable and slightly quirky items. Not to mention the countless jobs they provide for local communities. Tag explores the benefits of running your own and supporting other independent businesses. We spoke to Sara, the owner of Veradia.Art, to find out why it’s important to shop small, and about setting up a small business.

Why do people start small businesses?

“Throughout the last few years, the small business industry has boomed. Platforms like Etsy, now dedicate themselves to these stores, where you can buy almost anything!” Many people, like Sara, opened their business thanks to loved ones convincing them to sell their design skills as stickers and charms. Although, there are loads of different reasons why people start their own businesses. Let’s look at five reasons people start their own businesses.

great!), according to UNEP and the Ellen MacArthur Foundation. Shopping at small, independent businesses is better because you get to help independent shops thrive, while supporting the environment.

“Small companies are better for the environment” Everyone wins

When you support these businesses, you have a positive impact on your community and its economy. Locally-based shops help fund your schools, parks and neighbourhood safety. You’re helping your community thrive. Support your friends, entrepreneurs, family-owned businesses and local artists. Even better than that, many small firms support local charities. When you spend

your money at an independent business, you unknowingly help increase charitable donations to causes that matter in your area. According to Statista, small business turnover in the UK has increased every year since 2012, meaning more money to charitable organisations!

Advice to starters

Don’t worry so much! Working for and by yourself is a big commitment so it’s understandable if you get nervous. But if you expect to make mistakes as you go along, you’ll be helping yourself. Besides, we all learn from our mistakes. Sara told us, “I hope anyone out there thinking of starting their own business goes for it. Prioritize your customers, be passionate and love every minute of it.” So shop small, online or in person, and help the planet, your town and your wallet! See Sara’s shop Veradia on Etsy and her art at instagram.com/veradia.art

1 To explore a hobby. If you enjoy crafting, grab some string and glue and start charging for your art. 2 Health benefits. Focusing on one activity can relieve stress and anxiety. To ease your stress as you work, work for yourself, so you can set your own priorities. 3 Flexibility. You get to decide your schedule, have the power to hang out with your friends and be your own boss. 4 Your Future. Be in charge, and you can influence your own job security. It doesn’t hurt that entrepreneurship looks impressive on a CV, too. 5 Creativity. You choose what you want to do and sell it. Do what makes you happy, and let those creative juices flow!

Environmental benefits

It’s clear that there are plenty of reasons to start a business, but simply supporting small businesses is amazing. Small companies are better for the environment. Local resources are commonly used, and shipping is often country-limited. This means less pollution from cars and less packaging is wasted. In fact, the fastfashion industry is responsible for 10% of annual global carbon emissions (not so 25

ILLUMINATE YOUR MIND WITH LUMA

Tag explores a project which addresses inequalities and builds young people’s confidence so they can achieve their dream careers.

he Luma programme was launched on 21 March 2022. It was designed to improve young people’s mental health and well-being through art and creativity. Luma is managed by Ramshackle Productions and Egg Tooth and funded as part of the Everyday Creativity scheme headed by Culture Shift and East Sussex County Council.

How did it start?

In 2021, East Sussex County Council piloted several creative activity programmes targeting the wellbeing of people from different communities. After a successful review, Public Health wanted to extend the programme targeting young people for two years. This was eventually shaped into the Luma project in 2021.

What are its aims?

The Luma project is developing into a twoyear programme consisting of two subprojects and a legacy project. Its aim is to improve the emotional well-being of young

people aged 16 to 24. The project aims to build local young people’s resilience and reduce loneliness and isolation using the arts and creativity.

A place for those who believe opening their mind is a positive thing Introducing Luma_en

Luma started Luma_en on their Instagram account in June 2021. It is completely run by creative young people who raise awareness of mental health, climate change, and body positivity. There is no doubt that the page is quickly gaining followers. This project, led by Eggtooth (in partnership with Isolation Station and Home Live Art), aims to work with around 50 young people.

Sam Kavakli Design: George Walker

Up until March 2022 the page contained food stories, mask trivia, tackling online racism, and techniques to calm anxiety. At the time of writing, they are relaunching their page so keep an eye out for new content!

Feel illuminated

Projects like these are more and more important these days following the pandemic. They are crucial ways of reaching out to our generation and supporting them in whatever way they can with the challenges that we face with our mental health.

LUMA AND CULTURESHIFT PROJECTS www.instagram.com/luma_en/ for inspiring content. Check out the ‘Everyday Creativity’ project at www.cultureshift.org.uk.

GET THE LGBTQ+ SERVICES YOU NEED

ag knows that we should accept everyone, regardless of sexuality or orientation. Sadly, prejudice sometimes still happens and some of our readers find it hard to feel safe and get support. So we wanted to help you out! We spoke to Kerrie Tolley-Cloke and Brenda Smith about the local services for people like you.

What services are available for LGBT teenagers in East Sussex? “We run a support group on Facebook called Some People for those aged between 14 and 19 years old who identify as LGBTQ+. This group takes place every Tuesday, and they cover a range of topics for the individuals.

backgrounds, including mixed race, young parents, young people who identify as non-binary, and young people who identify as transgender, bisexual, lesbian, or gay.

“Young people who are in denial about their sexuality or identify as LGBT may feel a lack of support or a fear of upsetting their families and peers”

What kinds of ages and backgrounds do your service users have?

Many LGBTQ+ teens don’t get enough support. Why do you think that is, and what should be done about it?

“Our particular group is for 14 to 19 year-olds, but we have a range of other

“They may also not know about the support groups on offer or have a fear of meeting

new people and accessing these groups. Other professionals may not have been empathetic to these young individuals in the past, so they will need retraining to be up to date with these issues.”

Sam Kavakli Design: Sam Angel

FOR MORE SUPPORT: www.youngstonewall.org.uk www.theproudtrust.org/ for-young-people www.mermaidsuk.org.uk http://genderedintelligence.co.uk https://mindout.org.uk

THINKING POSITIVELY Positive thinking is a life hack

veryday life can feel exhausting, with pressures from social media and parents making us feel worse. Here are Tag’s tips for staying mindful and thinking more positively.

A new headspace

Thinking more positively is a change of mindset. Being able to approach stressful or uncomfortable situations with a positive attitude is crucial. For example, when our parents are nagging us, the positive way of looking at this problem would be to see that our parents care. This isn’t always easy, but it is worth it. There are always two sides.

Break your social media addiction Whether it’s 10 minutes or a whole day, taking time off social media is a great way to stay positive. You will notice that you have missed very little. The videos you want to see will still be there. Often, we find ourselves invested in all the numbers and politics that social media brings. It is essential to remind ourselves that there is more to our lives than screens.

You’re

late for School!

HALF ? EMPTY

day!

Satur

Albert Einstein

HALF FULL? We can’t control everything

Believe it or not, there is very little that we can control. It is believed that there are only two things we can: our opinions and attitudes. Everything else is said to be out of our control and, in turn, not worth over-stressing about. For example, you can’t get all your work done; you can’t control time, but you can control what you do and how you react.

Self-talk

“I’m so stupid”, “No one will ever love me” or “I’ll be alone forever”. These are common phrases that teens say to ourselves. The language we use is very important and has a massive impact on us. When other people come to us with problems, it can be easy to reassure them with words of encouragement and advice. The same, unfortunately, cannot be said about us. When we struggle with things, it can be easy to think badly. Listen to what your internal voice is saying, stop and challenge it.

Focus on today

It’s

Design: George Walker

“A person who never made a mistake never tried anything new“

Nobody is perfect

When you see someone happy on social media, it may make you wonder why you feel different to them. Taking a look at someone’s Instagram or Snapchat and wanting what they have is something we all do. We compare ourselves. This makes us want to change ourselves to fit in or be liked. It is important to remember that we are only seeing an edited version of someone. Like us, this person is not perfect. It is important not to hold ourselves, or anyone else, on a pedestal.

Dan Middleton

It is easy to overthink the future. These thoughts can stop us from doing tasks in case something bad happens. But the future is unknown. We don’t know what is going to happen. We recommend focusing on today because tomorrow will come eventually.

Learn something new

Have you ever wanted to become a photographer, drummer or rock climber? Investing time in a new hobby can also be a healthy distraction. Trying something new is a great way to step out of your comfort zone. You can boost your confidence and make yourself feel better.

It’s OK to fail

Many athletes will testify that failure is a part of success, but it is something that most of us fear. There can be immense pressure put on us to have success through things like good grades without failure. It is okay to fail. We shouldn’t let failure put us off from doing something that we want to do and chasing our dreams.

Talk to someone

Another perspective can help to get us out of a bad headspace. No matter how alone we may feel, there will always be someone to talk to. Reaching out doesn’t make us weak and can help us immensely in the long term. 27

he very idea of gender is being challenged by the day. As more unconventional gender behaviours gain momentum, many more people begin to be accepted. But with this growing acceptance, there is inevitably a corresponding backlash. New discussions beg the question – are sex categories needed any more? Do humans naturally belong to either binary, female or male? Would it just be easier to get rid of the binary altogether? Tag spoke to Rowan, the voice behind @_im_neither_ to get their views as a non-binary person.

Why is respecting pronouns important?

“When you meet somebody, you ask their name. Along with that information, it is a great idea to ask them about their pronouns. Asking about pronouns helps others feel listened to and lets you understand someone’s gender identity. “Respecting someone’s pronouns is really important. There’s no doubt about it. This goes for everybody, regardless of sex, gender or views. When you ignore or disregard someone’s pronouns, you could make them feel worthless, isolated or unseen. The correct pronoun usage can help ease gender dysphoria and discrimination, and in the long run, help prevent the risk of mental health issues and suicidal thoughts. Trans youths have a suicide rate of 41%. Imagine how much better you might help someone feel just by asking for pronouns.

What do you say to those who believe that there are only two genders?

“The best way to deal with this question is to define what sex is. The sex of a person is their anatomy/hormones/ genes. Gender is more about someone’s identity. Even if someone says that there are two sexes, they would be wrong. “According to scientists, there are several sex variations, and 28

A BLUE AND PINK WORLD Gender equality is a fashionable term, but why does it matter?

those who have these changes are intersex. Although intersex is totally natural, the west has demonised it. There definitely aren’t only two genders, nor two sexes. In fact, only since the 19th century did the binary beome so solidified.

insecurities are nothing to do with trans and nonbinary people and everything to do with themselves.

“My pronouns are attack and helicopter.”

“I believe, and so do a lot of progressives and/or gender diverse individuals, that the gender binary should be abolished/deconstructed. “Let me explain. The gender binary is the expectations placed upon somebody based on their genitals and the gender at birth (boy or girl). All of us are affected by the gender binary. Men and boys suffer mental illness and suicide as a leading cause of death, often due to the toxic-masculine idea that men must ‘act like men’. “Women and girls are severely impacted by misogynistic and patriarchal discrimination. Rape culture, domestic violence,

“Your pronouns are attack/ helicopter? Okay, let me practice: ‘attack walked home with me today. I’m good friends with helicopter.’ Oh sorry, those aren’t actually your pronouns? You were just trying to make a joke out of a minority that you know nothing about? I see…”. In all seriousness, don’t mock people who are just trying to get on with their lives. People’s

Should binary terms be abolished either fully or partially?

access to education, pay gap etc., have been excused as a normal part of womanhood. “Gender non-conforming people are targeted and abused in these binary expectations. Scapegoating, persecution and outing are harmful to everyone who is gender diverse. This system is damaging. We should aim to deconstruct it for the better. “ Binary language, however, isn’t necessarily harmful on its own. Many people find that masculine and feminine allow them to embrace a part of their identity really well. That’s great! But the issue arises when people are forced to express certain expectations based on their genitals. What’s between your legs isn’t the be-all and end-all.

“It’s as simple as respect.” Final Thoughts

“If this is all confusing to you, that’s okay. It’s okay to have questions, feel unsure or even disagree (respectfully, of course). However, I challenge you to take these questions and find answers from gender diverse people, academics and researchers in gender studies/ trans healthcare, and your gender-diverse peers. It might help you get into the topic a bit more. I also want anyone questioning their gender identity to know that you don’t have to stay stuck in this gender binary. You’re valid no matter what, and I see you.”

Rachel Lucas Design: Sam Angel Photography: George Walker

FURTHER INFORMATION www.unglobalcompact.org www.unwomen.org

INSTAGRAM @_im_neither_

FEMALE MASTURBATION Masturbation is taboo. No one talks about it, especially female masturbation. We think its time to start talking. If you are worried, talk to someone you trust about how you feel.

Myth – female infertility

When you masturbate, all that happens is that you may feel pleasure. No side effect has been medically linked to infertility. As people both with and without vaginas masturbate, there would be few people left if no one could have kids!

Myth – you’re a cheater

Many people find great pleasure when masturbating, whether they are in a relationship or not. When you are by yourself, you don’t feel any performance anxiety. That might even help your sex life in the long run! Although many couples don’t discourage masturbation, you can talk to your partner if you want to share this.

Health benefits

any of us do it, even if we say we don’t. It’s a natural instinct to explore your body. Everyone is at different levels of expertise: some of us have just started, for example. So there is no need to feel ashamed about it – it’s your body, and you are entitled to learn about it.

Myth – It causes insanity’ There is an old belief that when you touch yourself, you’ll end up going crazy. This simply isn’t true. Masturbation doesn’t cause any kind of mental problems. Some people may feel emotional distress when masturbation contradicts their cultural or religious beliefs.

Masturbation is healthy, normal and perfectly safe to do. In fact, when you masturbate, your body really benefits. When you explore yourself, your body releases moodboosting hormones. These are dopamine, which helps you feel happy, and epinephrine, also known as adrenaline. When you give your body attention, these hormones will relieve stress and can help improve your mood. So when the going gets tough, or you feel like you’re stressed, give yourself some me-time. Up until the ‘Big-O’ your body releases dopamine. Once you reach climax, your body releases body-relaxing hormones like oxytocin. Once you’re finished, your body will feel relaxed and tired. So maybe get going when you’re in bed. As well as making you tired, oxytocin helps to relieve

“Be more confident and comfortable with your body” pain. If you touch yourself a few days before your period, it can help relieve cramps and calm your mood. Masturbation gets blood flowing which will ultimately leave you feeling less sore. Forget about Advil! There is no need to feel ashamed when you want to give yourself some extra love. If you want any help or advice, talk to those you trust, like your peers, doctor or visit websites like www.advocare.com.

Attitudes

Everyone knows that masturbation is taboo. As we said, it’s not the first thought on everybody’s mind. We totally get this though. It can seem strange to talk to your mates about masturbation. Though the more we talk about it, the less taboo it becomes. We hope that this article has helped you be more confident and comfortable with your body and when you want to explore it.

Rachel Lucas Design: George Walker Photography: Amber Pisani-Cleland

Tag mag understands that not all people with vaginas are female, and not all females or AFAB (those assigned females at birth) have vaginas. Please consider inclusivity and others when reading this article. 29

IMAGINE HAVING NO SOCIAL MEDIA

irst, you have the positives, for example, feel-good videos, positive messages, entertainment and humour. But there are negatives as well, such as cyberbullying, hate speech, graphic content and trolls. Not all the content that we see online is safe and friendly. Tag asked parents if they wanted their children online, and some said ‘No’.

Pros and cons of social media

One of the best things about social media is that we can easily meet like-minded people. Although, with that being said you must be extremely careful when meeting people online because internet safety is a common concern. We all know that we should not reveal personal details to people we don’t know in real life, or meet them in private. Sites allow people to find others with similar interests that you can create an online relationship with and get to know on a 30

deeper level. Some of these include Reddit for general topics, Discord for specific communities and TikTok for trending topics. One of the cons is fewer physical interactions, giving rise to a reduction in face-to-face socialising and its replacement with online interaction and lower quality relationships with other people. The Addiction Center [sic] in the United States says that “a scholarly journal published in 2021 by the National Library of Medicine reported that 6.3% of the overall population are addicted to their smartphone”.

Interview with an expert

We got in touch with Jacob Law, 16, who runs a successful social media account based on mountain biking. We asked him “What would you do without social media?” Jacob said “I would probably be fine. I rarely use it unless it’s for messages” and “Be normal, probably actually enjoy doing things”.

Social media is both the highlight and downside of our lives

We also asked “How does social media help people?” Jacob told us that it enables them to communicate with other people who they might not know without it. “A great thing about social media is that it gives you a chance to show off things that you like or that you’re good at.” Jacob uses social media to enable people to show off their biking skills and equipment. Finally we asked him, “What would you miss?”. We weren’t shocked by his answer: “Funny videos”. Social media is a great pastime. But you might find yourself scrolling all day everyday. Here are three ways you can limit your dependence on the socials: 1 Avoid checking for updates, replies or posting something for blocks of time when you are busy doing other things such as at college, school or work. 2 Log out of apps periodically, that way you won’t keep checking on them. It is

more fun to log back in and receive lots of messages. 3 Try not scrolling. Instead, check the top or latest update, and then only read the three accounts you enjoy the most. We hope that you have found this article useful in reminding you to take more frequent breaks from social media. You are the only person that can help yourself from being overloaded, perhaps it’s time for a change.

Joshua Tapp Design: Sam Angel

GET HELP FROM TRAINED SPECIALISTS If you or any of your friends are struggling with cyberbullying, visit www.childline.org.uk or call 0800 1111

THE FUTURE OF CINEMA AND THE IRON GRIP OF STREAMING SERVICES

Film changed forever on 6 March 2020 with every movie being pulled from cinemas around the world

ockdowns got underway which left us with one choice: to go to streaming services like Netflix, Disney+ and Amazon Prime Instant Video to watch our content. While many films were streamed, directors like Christoper Nolan and actors, like Scarlett Johansson, were stubborn and wanted their movie to be released on the big screen. Some of these films did get a comeback release, like Nolan’s Tenet. They believe in big screen experiences, arguing that feature films are not as entertaining and you can’t feel immersed if it’s just on a small screen. Fast forward to earlier last year and film distribution was being split awkwardly with some flicks being released both in the cinema and on streaming services, like Cruella and Black Widow. Meanwhile the vast majority of these films didn’t get a streaming release, and some are being released exclusively on a streaming platform, like Sony’s The Mitchell’s Vs The Machines. During the first lockdown, many of us were watching older movies or finally got around to finishing that one show we’d put on hold. Then lockdown rules loosened and film distribution started back up during the

last month of summer to mixed results, as some of us went back into cinemas, but the vast majority of movie-lovers stayed at home.

Streaming statistics for 2020

During 2020, streaming went up by 50% as we watched 47 minutes more than we normally do. This was most likely from watching or re-viewing shows on Netflix since there wasn’t much on Disney+ or Amazon Instant Video at the time.

Box office for late 2020 movies

Since many film-goers were wary about going back to the cinema, the pictures that got a release either barely made their budget back or bombed, based on what the budget was. Nolan’s Tenet made its budget back but only $163.7 million was left after budget; then there was Bill And Ted Face The Music, which only made $6.2 million back of its $25 million budget which meant the movie bombed. The movies went away again after Saint Maud released in cinemas in early October as we went into Lockdown 2 – Electric Boogaloo – so the last movie to be released in 2020 was Pixar’s Soul on Christmas day on Disney+.

In a survey carried out by Tag, twothirds of film lovers told us they would go to the cinema to see a new release, while the remaining third would stay at home to watch the movie instead. The Guardian says “Streaming platforms are transforming the way films are watched. But traditional movie-going and sofa viewing can coexist”. This is a positive and important belief to uphold considering how much has changed over the past two years. Tag hopes there can be a healthy balance between the two sides as many of us have learnt to enjoy both experiences. So, enjoy that big movie excitement with a live audience at the cinema, and on other occasions, have fun hanging out at home to watch your personal choice of film.

Jack Payne Design: Sam Angel 31

independent cinema, live music and theatre venue • Showing the latest mOvies • the beSt in event cinema from the national theatre, the royal opera houSe and more • world ClaSS folk, rootS and blueS live music • live theatre, pantomime and feStival performanCeS • Film club • Free parking in viCtoria road and throughout hailSham

GeorGe St, HailSHam BN27 1ae 01323 841414

www.hailshampavilion.co.uk

Find us on Facebook

Reg. Charity No.1062538

Box Office open 10am to 4pm Monday to Saturday (Except Bank Holidays) for enquiries, bookings and programme information in person or by telephone - 01323 841414 also Online Booking and programme information available at

WHAT YOU’RE WATCHING THIS YEAR Doctor Strange In The Multiverse Of Madness (5 May)

After over-tampering with the very fabric of reality, Stephen Strange is being thrown through the multiverse with America Chavez and multiple Strange variants along the way; he will also stand trial in front of the Illuminati. Legendary movie director Sam Raimi finally makes his return to cinema after nine years (it’s also been 15 years since he’s directed a comic book movie after the SpiderMan 3 fiasco).

Thor: Love & Thunder (8 July)

Based on the comic series, Mighty Thor, the movie will revolve around Jane Foster lifting the shattered Mjolnir while getting cancer treatment to become The Mighty Thor.

Writer/director Taika Waititi returns after directing the great Thor: Ragnarok. Meanwhile Christian Bale is playing the villain, Gorr The God Butcher.

Spider-Man Across The Spider-Verse (Part One) (7 October)

Set some time after the Oscarwinning Into The Spider-verse, Miles is travelling ‘across the spider-verse‘ with Gwen and will meet other variants like Miguel O’Hara AKA Spider-Man 2099 and will have to face an unknown foe. This movie also has a new set of three directors: Joaquim Dos Santos, Kemp Powers and Justin K. Thompson.

Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (11 November) After losing the late great Chadwick Boseman, director

Ryan Coogler decided to make the plot about Wakanda and how it’s opening its borders with the rest of the world. This will probably lead to a lot of political turmoil and problems, since the fictional country’s borders have been shut for centuries. No other aspects are known at the time of Tag’s publication, including a possible villain.

Pinocchio (December?)

Avatar 2 (16 December)

We are sorry if any of these movies get ejected out of 2022, Tag, sadly, can’t control the releases of future films.

It’s been 11 years since the first film was released. You may not care for the plot, rather for the spectacle and visuals; plus there’s two more movies being shot and released in the next two years. There is a low chance the plot will actually be good. James Cameron comes back as writer and director along with Sam Worthington and Zoe Saldana in their original roles.

Monster movie director Guillermo Del Toro is in charge of this new adaptation of the Carlo Collodi book, but by making the story darker and in the stop-motion animation style. The movie has been in development since 2008 and it’s finally coming but only for Netflix. Keep your eyes open for this one.

Jack Payne Design: Sam Angel

DO YOU KNOW YOUR DC? DC Comics has a long history of its characters being adapted. But they have had their moments…

Design: Sam Angel

Unanimously, Aquaman used to be the weakest member of the Justice League, but the 2018 film changed the minds of thousands. It was a fun movie that surprised fans with its success. The film was a smash hit and audiences loved its creative and effective costume choices. DC Comics’ winning streak started after this release, and we loved their following releases.

Start of the Universe

n 2013 after Man of Steel, Director Zack Snyder first had the idea of starting the DCEU (DC Extended Universe). Fans were excited, and DC got to work on their first big release – Batman vs Superman. Fans met new characters and revisited old favourites throughout. But some critics believe that this film was nothing more than a cheap cash grab. Some said “It was trying too hard to set up future movies with uncertainty”. Watch it for yourself before you make up your mind. Let us know what you think on Instagram @tagmag_22!

A new chapter

Diverting Expectations

Then, in 2017, Snyder had to step down from directing, and, controversially, Joss Whedon took his place to finish Snyder’s later work. Film after film came out, but at this point, the DCEU was losing traction, and only one movie, Wonder Woman,

Jack Payne & Rachel Lucas

turned out well in the same year. Sadly there were more misses than hits, but the filmmakers got it right with their next release Aquaman. It was a significant step in the right direction.

In 2021, after a pandemic’s worth of waiting, writer/director James Gunn made his first DC film The Suicide Squad. This is their best movie so far. It’s fun and in-depth while going a little insane with a giant alien starfish and its soundtrack. With 2022’s Peacemaker and The Batman, there are high expectations for the upcoming films. We can’t wait to see what happens next in the DCEU! 33

ANOTHER REALITY

Joshua Tapp Design: George Walker Photography: Amber Pisani-Cleland

An insight into the monetisation of video gaming

s with many costs in 2022 video game prices are steadily increasing. The majority of consumers will pay a hefty fee but there are still quite a lot of us who refuse to buy video games at such a high price. The majority standard charge for a triple-A-rated title has recently increased to £70 after previously costing £60. This increase is being led by the fairly new release of the next generation console, the PS5. With the increased work rate and quality of these video games, it isn’t a surprise that developers are charging more money for their time and effort. For a perspective on this topic, Tag asked a video game monetisation gamer a few questions.

Gamer “Not ruin, but they can exploit young consumers’ buying habits.” What do you think about the pricing of video games? Gamer ‘A bit too much nowadays. The pricing has gone up and that’s not good.” In the near future with the new generation of gaming who knows how much the industry could be charging us to play our favourite games.

FIND OUT MORE What do you think about video games and their monetisation? Gamer “There are many different ways to spend money on video games, for example

on the PlayStation store and in-game transactions.” Do you think that microtransactions ruin a video game?

Discover how much YouTubers, streamers and other parties can make from content creation https://socialblade.com

LET ME PLAY

Brennan Smith Design: George Walker

Why there are age restrictions on video games?

he gaming industry often suffers attacks from the media for various incidents that happen. As soon as a young person commits a heinous act, video games are the first to be blamed. Big game titles such as Call of Duty, Grand Theft Auto, and Mass Effect have been blamed for almost everything, including bullying, drunk driving and murder.

Why are games the exception?

Most of us have experienced not being able to play a video game due to an age restriction. Most of us have managed to play a video game with an age restriction when we were not old enough. Most parents are strict when their children watch age-restricted movies or music with explicit lyrics, but when it comes to video games, it’s a whole new level of awareness. It seems as if there are no restrictions at all. Why is the idea of a child watching an adult-rated movie so bad, but games aren’t seen as a problem? 34

Which PEGI rating?

We reached out to the Video Standards Council (VSC) and spoke to Craig Lapper, one of the two administrators of the PEGI system, principally responsible for issuing 12, 16 and 18 ratings to games. Firstly, we asked Craig what their rating criteria were. Craig replied “We have clear rating criteria stating the levels of violence, horror, sex, drugs, bad language, and other issues that are allowed in each of the different age ratings. The criteria were developed by experts in child welfare and protection and by experts in media regulation. We also listen to the views of parents and young people to ensure the ratings remain up-to-date and reflect current views about what’s appropriate for children of different ages to play”.

Secondly, we wanted to know what makes a game 16+ and 18+, so Craig told me the criteria for each. “There are many reasons why a game might be rated 18 rather than 16. Most commonly, it’s for the stronger forms of violence, such as horrific depictions of death or injury towards human-like characters, violent depictions of vulnerable or defenceless human-like characters, or depictions of apparently motiveless killing or serious injury to multiple innocent human-like characters”.

Final thoughts

Gaming is meant to be fun, not change children’s behaviours. There are reasons for age restrictions, and these answers are valid. To what extent do our parents and other family members need to be more aware of what younger children are playing? Is the media going to continue to criticise video games when crimes are committed?

IMMERSED IN HORROR

Luca Manley Design: Sam Angel

The calculated psychology of creepy video games

hat do you associate with horror? Monsters? The dark? Creepy serial killers that you saw on some documentary? What scares you? Now imagine being completely immersed in that horror, that’s what video games have achieved. With groundbreaking technology, the gaming industry has been able to strike gold. Ever since the ‘90s the gaming industry has been reinventing horror. For example, in March 2000 Capcom created survival horror Resident Evil. The game set the bar for survival horror and horror games in general with sound design and graphics which at that time were impressive. However the magic lay with the gameplay. Throughout the whole experience you play through a fixed camera, watching your character from the end of a hallway or from the top of a door frame. It created a claustrophobic environment, keeping the player constantly guessing and dreading what would be around the next corner. Resident Evil caught the attention of the public and its success led to it being the IP it is today, with 28 games, seven movies and four shows. With over 100,000 concurrent players active after the latest release and with 70–80% of them completing the game to its fullest, it seems Capcom won’t be running out of success any time soon.

Reasons for success

So what made it so accomplished? One word: immersion. This is key to creating a successful game. Sure, watching a movie can be spooky when you’re yelling at the character to not go into the haunted house, but when immersion is done well and the responsibility for survival falls on you. It can stimulate the part of your brain associated with fight or flight, releasing the hormone adrenaline in a similar way to the effect a roller-coaster might have. So what creates successful immersion? Setting is the key first step, allowing visuals to let the player feel like they are

really there. Whether it’s running from an alien in the middle of a space station or investigating a haunted house, the visuals need to make you feel immersed in the location. Secondly, sound design needs to be factored in. Most players use headphones or speakers so a developer must always put time and effort into the audio environment – the weight of footsteps, creaking doors, howling of the wind and the sound of whatever the threat may be.

Psychology and manipulating the mind of the player

The third step to immersing a player is by subverting their expectation. A perfect example of this is in the hit game PT. Your character wakes up in an empty house, a radio plays describing a gruesome crime and you walk down the hallway of this house. The layout of the environment you’re in is an L-shaped hallway. When you reach the door at the end of the hallway you expect to open it and unlock a new section of the house, but when the player goes through that door they find themselves back at the beginning of the hallway, so you’re stuck in an endless loop. It’s scenarios like these that succeed in immersion, applying something small, within a grand concept. Another key to creating a successful horror game is the method of show-not-tell. A game can lose it’s immersive quality when it holds the player’s hand and tells them where to go, what to do and what thing to pick up. But a successful horror game strips the player of any resource they might expect to have. A good example of this is in a game called Outlast. You have no weapon, no to-do list, no set goal in mind, allowing the player to find their own approach to survival. The environments are mostly dark so you’re armed with a night vision camera, but what happens when the player loses that camera in a story point? You become more involved with what you’re doing. It introduces new threats or expands upon those already in the game, basically dragging the player deeper into the screen.

The instrusion of reality

The final step in the process that a developer might use is to break the fourth wall. Doing so creates an atmosphere and tension that induces a sense of unease for the player. There’s something unsettling and exciting when a game

directly interacts with you and can trigger a chemical reaction that floods your body with adrenaline, which can often be exhilarating for the player. An example of this occurs the game PT, when at a certain point in the game many players found themselves stuck, not knowing what to interact with. Experienced players searched deep into the files to see if they could get the answer there, and lo and behold, the game requires you to say out loud into the microphone, the name of a character when a man in the radio suddenly addresses the player directly. Another great example of this can be seen in Doki Doki literatur Club. On the surface level it seems like your average dating sim but when you play enough the fourth wall and the game breaks, sending the player spiralling into a rabbit hole of disturbing stories. At the end the game reads the profile you are playing on, and calls you by your name, not the username but your legal name.

Your creepiest favorites

So what horror game do you think is the best? 40% of students said that Phasmaphobia, an online multiplayer ghost simulator, was their favourite, while 60% of other students claimed that single player horror is better and more effective. No matter the popularity, does your number one game follow the criteria? If you’re not sure, why don’t you experiment? Below we feature some age-suitable games you could try today. What are you waiting for? Grab the controller and the popcorn, turn off those lights and experience the horror first hand.

AGE-SUITABLE HORROR GAMES The Little Nightmare series Rated age 12 and up. Among the Sleep Rated for age 10 and up. Slender: The Arrival Rated age 10 and up. 35

VIDEO GAME VIOLENCE Myth, parental paranoia, or the hard truth?

iolence in video games has been a decadeslong conversation since the rise of graphic imagery, such as in the original Mortal Kombat, in 1992. Some parents believe their child’s sudden interest in games is accompanied by an increase in aggression and violence. Others think games are planting violent thoughts into the brains of the players to inspire real life violence. Tag is asking: do video games cause violence or not?

Identifying with the aggressor?

According to a study in the American Psychological Association’s Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, violent video games can be more harmful than violent movies or television as it “forces the player to identify with the aggressor” and “interact with the violence instead of just watching”. One of their studies measured 227 college students’ aggressive traits and compared it to the

amount of time playing violence games and it found that the more violent games students subjected themselves to, the more frenzied behaviours they showed. So it seems that video violence can cause some sort of trigger, right? Well maybe not. Some believe the claim is a form of political propaganda as politicians often use this to back a campaign they’re running. One politician, Samuel Alito, described in detail the violence that was being shown in games and even went as far to say that there are games where you are allowed to commit rapes. He also said there is a game that allowed you to re-enact the Columbine High School shooting; however these claims were disputed and some of these games do not exist and if they did, they wouldn’t be available to the public. The late Associate Justice of the US Supreme Court, Antonio Scalia, scoffed at Alito’s claims. Antonio claimed that “They show at best some correlation between exposure

to violent entertainment and minuscule real-world effects, such as children feeling more aggressive or making louder noises in the few minutes after playing a violent game than after playing a non-violent game”.

Male and female aggression

Another issue with video game violence is the depiction of male aggression. Most games feature male leads, such as Call of Duty or Grand Theft Auto, which allow or force the player to commit acts of torture, terrorism and violence to finish the game, whereas the violence that comes from female leads is justified by whatever context the game applies. For example, Lara Croft uses violence in self defence, Jill Valentine fights zombies and Samus is saving the world. However, The Last of Us, Part 2 has a more controversial approach to its female lead Ellie by promoting revenge and enabling violence for personal reasons. Ellie

Luca Manley Design: George Walker

goes camp to camp looking for ‘justice’ after her father figure is killed, however the game then forces the player to play as the suspect in the killing and we learn that she was also acting on revenge. The game also includes material about sexual assault and LGBT, creating uproar in the creative community, allegedly inspiring female players to act out violently against their aggressors in an act of revenge. So it seems while most violent games that include unjustified violence are male led, there are games that feature violent female characters too. And is someone less likely to go out and cause violence after playing a hero than if they had just finished blowing up an airport that glorifies your actions? As with life, unlike with games, this question may not yet have a definitive answer in which all the loose threads are tied together.

WHAT YOU CAN DO animation, documentaries, editing, film making, image manipulation, journalism, live broadcast, media theory, motion graphics, music videos, photography, podcasts, print, radio, script writing, standard software, television shows, typography, web design

course code 5762/011

EASTBOURNE CREATIVE CONTENT: MEDIA The Diploma and Extended Diploma in Creative Media Production and Technology is a full-time course at East Sussex College Eastbourne. It provides a package equivalent to three full A-levels and progression to higher education and employment. “THE PERFECT COURSE FOR MEETING NEW PEOPLE AND LEARNING EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW TO PROGRESS ONTO A CAREER IN THE MEDIA INDUSTRY” LENNAN SENIOR, second year student FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT www.escg.ac.uk

we are east Sussex college. we are good. JOIN today - APPLY NOW. barcode (removed before sending to print)

Scan the QR to visit escg.ac.uk

030 300 39699 info@escg.ac.uk

escg.ac.uk

@WeAreESCG

TAG 2022

Articles inside

VIDEO GAME VIOLENCE

IMMERSED IN HORROR

THE FUTURE OF CINEMA AND THE

THINKING POSITIVELY

IMAGINE HAVING NO SOCIAL MEDIA

A BLUE AND PINK WORLD

SHOP SMALL

FEMALE MASTURBATION

GETTING AROUND

ARE YOU HURTING?

THE COVID VACCINE: WHAT’S THE DEAL?

MORE THAN ‘STRAIGHT’

LIVE LOUNGE

DON’T YOU KNOW YOU’RE TOXIC?

A PATH TO POLITICS

YOU ARE NOT ALONE

AT THE SHARP EDGE OF KNIFE CRIME

SURVIVE YOUR FIRST FESTIVAL

EVERYDAY RAPE