New Lilo & Stitch anthology comic series

Lilo and Stitch 626 is a new anthology comic from Dynamite Entertainment featuring stories from the Lilo & Stitch universe.

Written by Daniel Kibblesmith and illustrated by Elisa Pochetta, the series explores character origins and adventures beyond the main storyline. The first issue will reveal a new perspective on the backstory of Cobra Bubbles and include a sci-fi western-style story of Captain Gantu stranded on a distant planet.

The anthology will also spotlight characters such as Lilo Pelekai, Nani Pelekai, Jumba Jookiba and Pleakley. The comic celebrates “626 Day” on June 26, referencing Stitch’s Experiment 626 origin, though the first issue is set for release in May. Future issues will feature additional creators including George Kambadais.

Sony is developing an animated Venom movie

Sony Pictures Entertainment is developing an animated film based on the Venom (film franchise). The project will be directed and produced by Zach Lipovsky and Adam B. Stein, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

The film is still in early development and may take years to complete due to animation production time. Tom Hardy is reportedly involved in some capacity, though it is unclear whether he will voice Venom again.

Producers may include Amy Pascal, Avi Arad and Matt Tolmach. Meanwhile, Marvel Studios is also reportedly planning its own version of the Venom symbiote character.

Winds and Waves coming to Switch 2 in 2027

Pokémon Winds and Waves will be released in 2027 for the next-generation console from Nintendo, according to The Pokémon Company.

The new open-world game, developed by Game Freak, introduces the 10th generation of Pokémon (franchise). Players will choose from three new starter creatures: grass-type Browt, fire-type Pombon and water-type Gecqua.

The game is set across tropical islands with expanded underwater exploration and will be the first mainline Pokémon title exclusive to the Nintendo Switch 2.

Published in Dawn, Young World, March 28th, 2026

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The relentless pace of the modern world leaves parents with so much to juggle. Many find smartphones useful for keeping their children busy, playing and even learning.

It is not uncommon to see a toddler swiping through cartoon videos or a child sitting quietly with a phone in one hand at dinner time. Sadly, along this modern path, something has quietly changed. Questions like “Why is the sky so blue today?” or “Why do birds fly in flocks?” have started to fade.

In this age of instant gratification and endless scrolling, children ask fewer questions — not because they know more, but because they are not used to wondering. Smartphones have replaced critical thinking with instant answers, leaving no room for exploration.

The emotional cost

Depression and anxiety are on the rise. This is not anyone’s fault; it is simply a result of overstimulation. Children often struggle to handle their feelings and may have a lower emotional quotient (EQ). Their emotional growth can be stunted due to a lack of in-person communication.

When watching something on a screen, people often express an emotion with a simple “like” or an emoji before they have actually felt it deeply. Children do not learn to read facial expressions or understand different tones of voice. Smartphones can rob them of these crucial life skills that are best picked up during face-to-face interaction.

We live in an age of instant answers and endless scrolling. While technology helps us learn, there is a hidden cost of being always connected

Growing dependence

Ask yourself: “Have I ever created something new?” “Have I thought about the real world?” “Do I know how to handle my emotions?”

A child who opens YouTube the moment they feel bored doesn’t do any of those things. They get so much dopamine from the screen that everything else seems boring. They don’t learn to handle frustration or quiet time.

Smartphones cannot teach us resilience or self-regulation.

Is social intelligence being ignored?

How can we expect a child to have a conversation when the only thing they know is texting? Empathy and cooperation are important social skills that get lost in impersonal social media chats.

Many teenagers struggle with eye contact, listening and patience in real-time conversations. In the past, face-to-face interactions helped people pick up social cues and learn how to behave in different settings.

Shrinking attention spans

Short videos, such as Reels and TikToks, train our brains to crave quick hits of excitement. Students surrounded by this content find it hard to focus, read long texts or even write long messages.

This is why “short forms” are so common now. Using terms like “W8” or “TLDR” (Too Long Didn’t Read) is proof of a rising sense of impatience.

Lead by example

The dopamine boost affects adults too. After a long day at work, parents often turn to screens for relaxation. Children mimic this behaviour, scrolling through dinner or checking phones during conversations.

This can lead to “emotional absence,” where parents are physically in the room, but not truly present. This can hurt the parent-child relationship.

Outsourcing our memory

Using Google Maps to find a friend’s house, a calculator for simple maths or a digital calendar for everything is now normal. But while it seems harmless, it can be a problem. When the brain is not used, it forms weaker connections.

While our own memory fades, the smartphone becomes our only memory bank.

Delayed development

Studies show that too much screen time can delay language development and impulse control. Even if educational apps are used, children may lose the ability to think for themselves.

Self-worth and social media

Comparing yourself to others on social media can damage self-esteem and body image. Many teenagers develop a fragile sense of identity based on “likes” and comments. This leads to mental health issues and affects how they get along with others.

The irony: smart devices, duller minds?

Smartphones are advertised as tools for connecting, but using them too much can produce a generation that is distracted and less social.

Smartphones are powerful tools, but only when we stay in control. It is time to draw a line between using them and depending on them. Let’s remind ourselves that the greatest connection doesn’t need Wi-Fi; it needs us to be present.

Published in Dawn, Young World, March 28th, 2026

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The trailer of the new Spider-Man film is out, and like most people out there, you might also be wondering who the new characters are. Are they good guys who help Spider-Man, or are they bad guys who don’t want Spider-Man to exist?

Don’t worry. We have a handy pocket-size guide for you that will make you an instant expert on all things Spider-Man.

All the facts you need to know about Spider-Man’s friends and foes are in Spider-Man: Pocket Expert, and since the book is literally pocket-sized, you can carry it around easily. Why is it the best thing to read in the wake of Spider-Man: Brand New Day, will be evident to you once you go through it.

Each page covers a different character, regardless of whether it’s good, bad or neutral. There is a short introduction of each character, followed by a rating for all these characters — fighting skills, speed and strength — and accompanied by their key abilities and a Spidey Secret about them.

The information flow doesn’t stop there as a box item mentions something new about the characters, making this pocket guide to the Spider-Verse your one-stop source of amazing facts to wow your friends with! If you didn’t know that Spidey and Captain Marvel often team up in the New Avengers or that Sandman is one of the few Spider-Man characters who are neutral, then you are in for a treat.

Hence, if you are a young Marvel fan and want to update yourself ahead of Spider-Man: Brand New Day, look no further. How is Spider-Man Noir different from the other Spider-Men in the Spider-Verse, who were Peter Parker’s parents, why does J Jonah Jameson hate Spider-Man and who is Spider-Girl, answers to such questions can be found in these pages.

With this Pocket Expert in hand, you are bound to win any schoolyard debate about character superpowers, origin stories, key foes and gadgets. Don’t wait for the new Spider-Man flick’s release in July; become an expert as early as you can.

Published in Dawn, Young World, March 28th, 2026

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