https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/rss/318827/feed It's the stage that every parent dreads:hormones are raging, moods are swinging and bodies are changing. But it is also a time of idealism, increasing independence and preparing for the journey to adulthood. en https://assets-v2.i-scmp.com/production/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg Alice Yan Alice Yan A 60-year-old woman in southern China has defied public stereotypes surrounding senior citizens by becoming a popular e-game live-streamer. Zhong Juanjuan, affectionately known as Auntie Juan by internet users, has amassed 527,000 followers on social media. She hosts two daily live-streaming sessions, each typically attracting around 10,000 viewers, as reported by Beijing News. Zhong, who lives in a suburban area of Meizhou in Guangdong province, only began playing computer games six years ago.... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3369504/chinese-woman-60-becomes-gaming-streamer-after-playing-understand-sons-addiction?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3369504/chinese-woman-60-becomes-gaming-streamer-after-playing-understand-sons-addiction?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 02 Oct 2026 10:00:07 +0000 Lu Huijing Lu Huijing Like many Hong Kong parents, Ms Ng spends her weekend shuttling her eight-year-old son from one tutoring class to another across the city, hoping to strengthen his academic performance. Across Chinese communities worldwide, parents travel the same journey, investing time, money and energy. But as we enter the age of artificial intelligence, we must ask if such striving is still worthwhile. Industry leaders predict that AI will replace swathes of white-collar work in finance, law, accounting and... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/opinion/hong-kong-opinion/article/3366957/classic-chinese-parenting-playbook-wont-survive-ai-age?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/opinion/hong-kong-opinion/article/3366957/classic-chinese-parenting-playbook-wont-survive-ai-age?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 14 Sep 2026 21:30:05 +0000 Fran Lu Fran Lu Chinese parents are sending their children to “hardship summer camps” to engage in farm work, often to the point of tears, in an effort to teach them the realities of life and foster appreciation for their families. This summer, a programme known as “hardship camp” is gaining popularity across China. Many parents are investing thousands of yuan (hundreds of US dollars) to send their children to the countryside to experience rural life first-hand. These programmes are primarily located in the... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3364643/chinese-hardship-camps-see-children-chop-wood-feed-pigs-learn-family-appreciation?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3364643/chinese-hardship-camps-see-children-chop-wood-feed-pigs-learn-family-appreciation?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 20 Aug 2026 10:00:07 +0000 Zoey Zhang Zoey Zhang Controversial “parent awakening camps” are attracting anxious Chinese mothers willing to invest significantly in confronting gaming addiction and poor academic performance. Promoted by an increasing number of family-education services on mainland social media, these programmes promise to transform parenting practices and mend strained family relationships. Reports from mainland media indicate two primary models: traditional courses and lectures led by certified counsellors, and expensive schemes... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3364207/anxious-chinese-mothers-turn-pricey-parent-awakening-camps-academic-help?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3364207/anxious-chinese-mothers-turn-pricey-parent-awakening-camps-academic-help?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 17 Aug 2026 10:00:07 +0000 Heidi Yeung Heidi Yeung As our world becomes over-saturated with increasingly unattainable beauty standards showcased by celebrity and influencer culture, it’s getting harder to look in the mirror and like what looks back. Today’s teenagers and preteens are no strangers to this pressure. While there’s no way to pinpoint one single cause, the trajectory between what young people see online and the effects this can have on behaviour is well documented. According to a 2025 study in the Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, a... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/special-reports/article/3362125/sephora-kids-and-social-media-how-protect-hong-kong-teens-appearance-anxiety?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/special-reports/article/3362125/sephora-kids-and-social-media-how-protect-hong-kong-teens-appearance-anxiety?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 07 Aug 2026 06:00:13 +0000 Fran Lu Fran Lu A man in central China has gone viral for a series of “second-hand brat recycling” videos that are splitting public opinion, with some praising them as vital educational tools and others warning that they cause childhood trauma. Yan Zhengjun, known by the nickname “Uncle A Jun,” hails from Henan province and has amassed 1.6 million followers on a popular platform. Since 2021, Yan has created hundreds of humorous videos centred around the theme of “recycling naughty kids.” In these videos, he... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3363235/kids-nemesis-chinese-vlogger-uses-recycling-approach-help-children-drop-bad-habits?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3363235/kids-nemesis-chinese-vlogger-uses-recycling-approach-help-children-drop-bad-habits?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 07 Aug 2026 02:27:13 +0000 Tara Loader Wilkinson Tara Loader Wilkinson Growing up in the US state of New Jersey, Jessica Sikora felt different from other children. Her traditional, religious Filipino parents imposed strict rules and curfews. “My parents pulled a lot of their traditional Asian parenting from their own upbringing,” the now 34-year-old says, which was often at odds with the more relaxed American parenting style. She was not allowed to go to sleepovers and missed out on social gatherings, making it hard to make friends. “By age 13, I was depressed. I... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3360873/saved-my-life-how-music-fandoms-help-gen-z-mental-health-and-feeling-connection?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3360873/saved-my-life-how-music-fandoms-help-gen-z-mental-health-and-feeling-connection?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 17 Jul 2026 23:15:05 +0000 dpa dpa Although many parents probably remember getting sunburned as children, it has become increasingly apparent that sun-damaged skin can be dangerous later in life. Nevertheless, it seems lots of children are still getting sunburned, and research in the UK from 2024 has found that 59 per cent of children have been sunburned at least once. But while the pain and redness from sunburn diminish after a few days, it could have caused irreversible damage to children’s skin, which may rear its head when... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3359249/how-sunburn-children-can-lead-skin-cancer-later-life-these-tips-can-protect-them?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3359249/how-sunburn-children-can-lead-skin-cancer-later-life-these-tips-can-protect-them?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 05 Jul 2026 23:15:08 +0000 Zoey Zhang Zoey Zhang A Ferrari owner in southwest China is considering legal action after some children used his supercar as a slide, damaging it while their parents remained unapologetic. Zhang, from Kunming in Yunnan province, recently parked his red Ferrari, valued at 3.6 million yuan (US$530,000), in an outdoor space before leaving on a business trip. While he was away, a neighbour told him four boys had climbed onto the vehicle and repeatedly used it as a slide. Surveillance footage showed the children... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3359110/ferrari-owner-sues-unapologetic-chinese-parents-whose-kids-scratched-530000-supercar?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3359110/ferrari-owner-sues-unapologetic-chinese-parents-whose-kids-scratched-530000-supercar?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 02 Jul 2026 06:00:20 +0000 Fran Lu Fran Lu A Chinese single mother who quit school after Primary One carried steel tubes to support her daughter, who excelled in this year’s college entrance exams. When Zou Pinzhi and her daughter Liu Fang saw the freshly published results of her gaokao, or national college entrance exam, they embraced and wept with joy. The results indicate that Liu’s score was blocked – a sign that she is a top scorer in her province, Sichuan. Several provinces, as well as Beijing, which is a provincial-level city,... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3359091/single-china-mum-carries-steel-tubes-fund-education-weeps-hugs-daughter-who-aces-gaokao?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3359091/single-china-mum-carries-steel-tubes-fund-education-weeps-hugs-daughter-who-aces-gaokao?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 02 Jul 2026 01:01:33 +0000 Zoey Zhang Zoey Zhang A boy in southern China accidentally ignited dozens of mobile phones while playing at home, but his father’s remarkably calm reaction has garnered praise online. The father, surnamed Peng, operates a mobile phone shop in Shenzhen and utilises part of his home as a workshop for storing devices, according to the mainland media outlet First Scene. The fire began when Peng’s five-year-old son noticed sparks from a short-circuiting power strip and, intrigued, used them to ignite a tissue. The flames... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3358226/chinese-boy-destroys-us30000-worth-phones-home-fire-dads-response-shocks-everyone?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3358226/chinese-boy-destroys-us30000-worth-phones-home-fire-dads-response-shocks-everyone?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 25 Jun 2026 01:00:12 +0000 Zoey Zhang Zoey Zhang A mother in central China has captivated mainland social media with an unconventional homework hack that has her restless son pedalling an old sewing machine while studying. According to Dazhong Daily, a primary school boy from Anyang, Henan province, struggled to stay focused during homework. He would fiddle with his eraser, shake his legs and repeatedly leave his seat. His mother then moved his grandmother’s old sewing machine into the study and let him pedal it as he wrote. The method... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3354342/china-mum-makes-son-pedal-sewing-machine-during-homework-stay-focused-sparks-debate?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3354342/china-mum-makes-son-pedal-sewing-machine-during-homework-stay-focused-sparks-debate?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 25 May 2026 01:00:07 +0000 Zoey Zhang Zoey Zhang A boy in central China dreamed of making his own silk quilt, prompting his parents to buy 10,000 silkworm eggs to nurture his curiosity. In May, a mother surnamed Ruan from Wuhan, Hubei province, revealed online that her family was raising silkworms to help realise her six-year-old son’s unusual dream. Ruan told the mainland outlet Chengshi Interactive that the idea came during the silkworm-rearing season. The optimal window generally runs from May to October. The family, who raise silkworms... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3354232/china-boy-wants-raise-silkworms-create-silk-quilt-prompting-parents-buy-10000-seeds?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3354232/china-boy-wants-raise-silkworms-create-silk-quilt-prompting-parents-buy-10000-seeds?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 24 May 2026 01:00:07 +0000 Jolene Otremba Jolene Otremba When Jenny began questioning the presence of children’s faces online, it wasn’t because of her own daughters. “I think it was when my niece turned 13,” she says. “She told her mum, ‘I don’t like seeing my face on social media.’ That really stuck with me.” Her daughters are now six and eight, but the comment prompted her to think ahead. “How will my kids feel when they see [their faces] in the future?” she wondered. That question is increasingly being asked by millennial parents in Hong Kong.... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/special-reports/article/3351106/why-parents-and-schools-are-rethinking-sharing-kids-photos-social-media?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/special-reports/article/3351106/why-parents-and-schools-are-rethinking-sharing-kids-photos-social-media?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 14 May 2026 22:00:06 +0000 dpa dpa There is no perfect way to raise children. But if you are despairing because of unruly kids, adopting some Japanese parenting methods could be the way to go. Japanese parenting emphasises unconditional love, community and harmony with nature, as ways to nurture well-behaved, respectful and creative children, says author Lisa Katayama, who used Japanese methods to bring up her own two children after moving from Tokyo to the United States. And now she has shared the core principles involved with... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/family-relationships/article/3353249/10-japanese-parenting-tips-raise-your-children-be-well-behaved-mindful-and-creative?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/family-relationships/article/3353249/10-japanese-parenting-tips-raise-your-children-be-well-behaved-mindful-and-creative?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 13 May 2026 11:15:08 +0000 Letters Letters Feel strongly about these letters, or any other aspects of the news? Share your views by emailing us your Letter to the Editor at letters@scmp.com or filling in this Google form. Submissions should not exceed 400 words. China has taken some of the most far-reaching steps globally to regulate children’s digital lives. From regulations limiting how long children can play video games to the Cyberspace Administration of China’s “minor mode” rolled out on mobile devices last year, policymakers have... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/opinion/letters/article/3352315/rules-arent-enough-keep-children-safe-online-we-need-start-talking?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/opinion/letters/article/3352315/rules-arent-enough-keep-children-safe-online-we-need-start-talking?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 05 May 2026 03:30:06 +0000 Tribune News Service Tribune News Service Michaeleen Doucleff set out to examine her and her family’s relationship to – reliance on, really – screens and junk food. Why was she checking texts at every stop sign when biking with her daughter, Rosy? Why was she mindlessly devouring Pringles crisps? Why did Rosy impatiently count the minutes to nightly cartoons from the moment she got home? When was the last time they ate a whole food? At the beginning of her reckoning, Doucleff prepared herself for a lesson in willpower. If she was going... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3350945/your-family-addicted-screens-and-junk-food-how-change-their-habits?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3350945/your-family-addicted-screens-and-junk-food-how-change-their-habits?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 23 Apr 2026 07:15:09 +0000 Yating Yang Yating Yang A single mother in China who has worked for 16 years carrying heavy bags of cement on construction sites to care for and fund her daughter’s education has moved countless people online. Wei Guiyun, 40, from Qidong County in Hengyang, Hunan province, central China, has gone viral online after sharing her story. In 2010, at the age of 24, she began the labouring job while raising two young children. At that time, her daughter was two and her son just a few months old. “With two children, the... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3350137/china-single-mum-works-building-sites-lifting-bags-cement-16-years-support-child?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3350137/china-single-mum-works-building-sites-lifting-bags-cement-16-years-support-child?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 16 Apr 2026 10:00:11 +0000 Alice Yan Alice Yan An online influencer in China known as Godmother of sexual intelligence, who was banned on social media earlier this year, has reappeared online to sell her controversial courses. Zhou Yuan, who lives in central Hunan province, teaches women to enhance their sexual appeal. She is alleged to have earned 24 million yuan (US$3.5 million) from selling her on and offline courses, Red Star News reported. Zhou’s account, with 200,000 followers, was banned in January for promoting “vulgar... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3348820/china-sexual-intelligence-godmum-returns-paper-robots-ancestors-mum-goes-bald-tutoring-son?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3348820/china-sexual-intelligence-godmum-returns-paper-robots-ancestors-mum-goes-bald-tutoring-son?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 07 Apr 2026 01:00:13 +0000 Zoey Zhang Zoey Zhang A six-year-old boy in central China was left alone in a hotel for more than two weeks, touching hotel workers who stepped in to care for him like family. According to Henan Television, the boy, nicknamed Chengcheng, checked into a hotel in Zhengzhou, Henan province, with his 25-year-old mother, surnamed Yue, in February. She initially went out at night and returned during the day, but stopped returning in March and left no contact information. For more than half a month, Chengcheng stayed alone... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3348002/chinese-mum-leaves-son-6-hotel-room-more-2-weeks-staff-act-carers?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3348002/chinese-mum-leaves-son-6-hotel-room-more-2-weeks-staff-act-carers?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 31 Mar 2026 01:00:09 +0000 Yating Yang Yating Yang A Chinese father who, after divorcing, confiscated more than 80,000 yuan (US$11,500) of his son’s Chinese New Year “red envelope” money to cover the expense of a new marriage ceremony, has lost a lawsuit that demanded he return the full amount. The boy, 10, who is known as Xiaohui, comes from Zhengzhou in Henan province, northern China, and has been living with his father since his parents divorced two years ago. Over the years, Xiaohui had accumulated more than 80,000 yuan in Chinese New Year... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3344450/china-boy-sues-dad-taking-his-us11500-red-packet-money-cover-remarriage-expenses?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3344450/china-boy-sues-dad-taking-his-us11500-red-packet-money-cover-remarriage-expenses?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 26 Feb 2026 01:00:08 +0000 Emily Hung Emily Hung Anna Lee*, a Hongkonger in her forties, first realised the profound impact of the violence she experienced as a child when she became a mother herself. As she raised her two children, now aged seven and 10, she was alarmed to find her emotional reactions mirroring the volatility of her own childhood. “I found the degree of my sudden outbursts of anger not proportionate to the things my children had done, and I struggle to manage the emotion,” she said. “That reminded me of my father losing his... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/society/article/3343909/breaking-cycle-hong-kong-parents-wrestle-impact-their-own-abuse?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/society/article/3343909/breaking-cycle-hong-kong-parents-wrestle-impact-their-own-abuse?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 19 Feb 2026 00:30:07 +0000 Zoey Zhang Zoey Zhang A mother from eastern China who faced online criticism for making simple breakfasts has turned heads and gone viral with her bizarre breakfast creations. Clothing shop owner Zhang Liping from Zhejiang province lives with her husband and their 16-year-old son. Last December, Zhang casually posted videos on social media of her son’s breakfasts, including several pieces of dry bread, rice crackers and a cup of hot water. Netizens quickly pointed out the lack of nutrition this provided, with one... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3343020/chinese-mother-prepares-thunder-breakfast-son-goes-viral-900-million-views?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3343020/chinese-mother-prepares-thunder-breakfast-son-goes-viral-900-million-views?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 14 Feb 2026 01:00:10 +0000 The Asian Parent The Asian Parent Can watching a film actually make you feel calmer, more optimistic and even more purposeful? Science says yes – and Spirited Away might be one of those films that do exactly that. A new study published in JMIR Serious Games, a peer-reviewed journal exploring how entertainment and interactive media affect well-being, revealed that certain forms of media, like Studio Ghibli films and video games such as The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, can significantly boost happiness and life... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3342888/want-feel-happier-watch-spirited-away-or-play-zelda-new-study-says?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3342888/want-feel-happier-watch-spirited-away-or-play-zelda-new-study-says?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 11 Feb 2026 07:15:07 +0000 Yating Yang Yating Yang A new “parenting” trend in China is seeing young women embrace “painless motherhood” by raising cotton dolls as their own children. The toy-caring fad even extends to celebrating their “children’s” birthdays at hotpot restaurants, buying expensive clothes and even taking them on holidays. The trend gained attention in October 2023, when a woman took her cotton dolls to the popular hotpot chain Haidilao and made a viral post titled: “Is Haidilao Discriminating Against Cotton Doll Owners?”. In the... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3342361/china-gen-z-nurtures-stuffed-toys-real-babies-celebrates-birthdays-shows-affection?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3342361/china-gen-z-nurtures-stuffed-toys-real-babies-celebrates-birthdays-shows-affection?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 10 Feb 2026 01:00:12 +0000 Alice Yan Alice Yan A working Japanese couple with six children have sparked outrage by letting their oldest child, 12, babysit his younger siblings every day, leaving no time for himself. The boy’s story was exposed by the Japanese media outlet Asahi Broadcasting Television’s variety show Detective! Knight Scoop which aired on January 23. The programme features letters from the public and offers of help to solve their problems in life. A sixth-grade junior school pupil from Hiroshima Prefecture wrote to the... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/people-culture/article/3342329/japan-couple-spark-child-neglect-concerns-letting-son-12-babysit-5-siblings-while-they-work?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/people-culture/article/3342329/japan-couple-spark-child-neglect-concerns-letting-son-12-babysit-5-siblings-while-they-work?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 07 Feb 2026 01:00:09 +0000 Alice Yan Alice Yan An angry father in China smashed up his home and kicked the door of his daughter’s room because she used tissues and not a towel to dry her hair. The father’s behaviour was exposed online by his wife on January 26, sparking public outrage after images of his emotional explosion were viewed 110 million times on one social media platform alone, the Beijing TV reported. According to the mother, who lives in Guangdong province, southern China, after her daughter washed her hair, the father spotted... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3341545/clip-china-dads-fit-rage-over-daughter-drying-hair-tissues-gains-110-million-views?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3341545/clip-china-dads-fit-rage-over-daughter-drying-hair-tissues-gains-110-million-views?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 04 Feb 2026 01:00:38 +0000 Zoey Zhang Zoey Zhang Some parents in China are embracing a new way to motivate their children by printing giant homework papers, sparking laughter across the internet. In January, a mother from Hubei province, central China, said that she printed oversized test papers for her son, saying: “This way, he will not miss any questions.” Photographs showed her young son lying on the floor, working on a Chinese language test paper nearly one metre long, with blank spaces almost as big as his hand. The mother said she had... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3341426/china-parents-use-giant-homework-papers-motivate-kids-divide-public-opinion?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3341426/china-parents-use-giant-homework-papers-motivate-kids-divide-public-opinion?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 03 Feb 2026 06:01:45 +0000 Fran Lu Fran Lu A Chinese couple who left their young children at a hotel following a fight have ignited a heated discussion over how to punish irresponsible parents. The Beijing Chaoyang district police posted on January 22 that they received a phone call from a man who claimed to have been looking after his friends’ two children at a hotel. The children, a seven-year-old boy and a five-year-old girl, had been abandoned by their parents after the couple had a fight during a family trip to Beijing. Both parents... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3341386/china-couple-abandon-their-young-children-hotel-after-dispute-spark-heated-debate?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3341386/china-couple-abandon-their-young-children-hotel-after-dispute-spark-heated-debate?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 02 Feb 2026 10:00:08 +0000 Fran Lu Fran Lu A Shanghai mother who forced her daughter to walk on her knees on a cold night has been accused of abusive parenting. The unidentified woman meted out the punishment in their residential compound at 9pm on January 6. Passers-by who tried to intervene were berated by the mother. A witness, surnamed Xu, said the girl stood up when she reached the compound’s entrance gate. Xu said the mother complained that her family was heavily in debt after buying a flat to provide a better education for her... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3339995/china-mum-makes-daughter-crawl-knees-during-cold-night-berates-passers-when-intervened?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3339995/china-mum-makes-daughter-crawl-knees-during-cold-night-berates-passers-when-intervened?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 21 Jan 2026 10:00:10 +0000 Letters Letters Feel strongly about these letters, or any other aspects of the news? Share your views by emailing us your Letter to the Editor at letters@scmp.com or filling in this Google form. Submissions should not exceed 400 words One of your recent articles relates Singaporean parents’ concerns about their children’s social media use (“Singapore parents welcome curbs on smartphone use in schools: ‘better late than never’”, December 5). Many Hong Kong parents are similarly worried that their children are... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/opinion/letters/article/3338485/scolding-not-right-way-curb-childrens-social-media-use?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/opinion/letters/article/3338485/scolding-not-right-way-curb-childrens-social-media-use?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 05 Jan 2026 03:30:09 +0000 Sumnima Kandangwa Sumnima Kandangwa It’s midnight on an ordinary Thursday and Darren Lee is wide awake, hunched over a laptop, sending off emails. While most other university students might be winding down after a day of lectures or grabbing drinks with friends, Lee’s nightly routine has just begun. Sure, his grades are slipping, his mother is less than thrilled about all the socks taking over their living room, and his social life is bleak at best. But at only 19 years old, Lee is the proud founder and CEO of Sababu, a home-grown... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/postmag/culture/article/3338459/hong-kong-teen-trading-sleep-and-social-life-help-artists-around-world?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/postmag/culture/article/3338459/hong-kong-teen-trading-sleep-and-social-life-help-artists-around-world?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 03 Jan 2026 23:00:13 +0000 Agence France-Presse Agence France-Presse Snapchat has begun asking teenage Australians to verify their ages, the company said on Monday, just weeks before Canberra enforces sweeping laws banning under-16s from social media. From December 10, Australia will force social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram and TikTok, to remove users under the age of 16 or face hefty fines. “Starting this week, many users will be asked to verify their age to continue accessing Snapchat,” the company said. Users will be able to do so using an... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/asia/australasia/article/3333875/snapchat-makes-australian-teens-verify-age-social-media-ban-looms?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/asia/australasia/article/3333875/snapchat-makes-australian-teens-verify-age-social-media-ban-looms?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 24 Nov 2025 00:37:43 +0000 Anthea Rowan Anthea Rowan On a summer afternoon nine years ago, Mark Raymond Jr dove into Lake Pontchartrain in the US state of Louisiana. He had not realised how shallow it was – and felt his forehead hit the lake bottom. Three weeks later, he woke up from a medically induced coma, unable to use his legs or hands. Diving accidents are life-shattering – but not uncommon. They disproportionately affect young men: up to 97 per cent of diving-induced spinal cord injuries occur in males, and most are aged 15 to 29... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3333477/why-males-take-more-risks-and-how-promote-healthy-risk-taking-teens?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3333477/why-males-take-more-risks-and-how-promote-healthy-risk-taking-teens?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 22 Nov 2025 11:15:07 +0000 Alice Yan Alice Yan An emotional message scribbled on a paper trash bag left on a high-speed train by a mother, expressing her frustration over her teenage child’s addiction to electronic devices, has sparked widespread discussion about parenting on mainland social media. The message resonated with a young passenger days later. This “message in a bottle” was written by a passenger from Ningbo, in eastern China’s Zhejiang province, on October 29. The trash bag, containing the handwritten note, went unnoticed by... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3333160/china-mums-paper-bag-message-help-childs-phone-addiction-prompts-flood-support?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3333160/china-mums-paper-bag-message-help-childs-phone-addiction-prompts-flood-support?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 21 Nov 2025 01:00:11 +0000 Alice Yan Alice Yan A father in China quit his job and travelled 900 km to set up a food stall near his daughter’s school after she complained that the dishes in its canteen lacked the “taste of home”. The concerned father has trended on mainland social media as a result of his actions. His daughter, Li Bingdi, is a second-year student at Jilin Normal University in Siping, Jilin province, northeastern China. Over the past year, Li has complained that she did not like the food at her school, which she said was... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3331744/china-dad-quits-job-sell-fried-rice-near-daughters-school-after-she-complains-about-food?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3331744/china-dad-quits-job-sell-fried-rice-near-daughters-school-after-she-complains-about-food?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 11 Nov 2025 01:00:10 +0000 Tara Loader Wilkinson Tara Loader Wilkinson The online world has opened a floodgate of sexual content for young people, often leaving their parents seeking relevant ways to talk about consent, boundaries and healthy relationships. For many, the first sign of trouble happens in their children’s bedrooms: walking in on them watching pornography, overhearing crude conversations with friends or noticing a sudden change in their attitude and behaviour. Relationship counsellor and certified clinical sexologist Dr Martha Tara Lee, based in... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3331580/how-talk-children-and-teens-affected-early-exposure-sexual-content?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3331580/how-talk-children-and-teens-affected-early-exposure-sexual-content?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 06 Nov 2025 04:15:08 +0000 Lisa Cam Lisa Cam After Amanda Fok Choi-ling was told, at the age of 35, she had ADHD, the first doctor she saw about her condition was a child psychiatrist. “When I was diagnosed in 2008, there were no support systems for adults with ADHD,” the Hongkonger recalls. A professional emcee, Fok founded Let’s Talk ADHD, a social enterprise that raises awareness of the disorder and starts conversations to spread the word that it affects children and adults alike. She launched Hong Kong’s first ADHD Awareness Week in... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3329889/fighting-adhd-awareness-hong-kong-uphill-battle-social-enterprise-founder?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3329889/fighting-adhd-awareness-hong-kong-uphill-battle-social-enterprise-founder?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 22 Oct 2025 23:15:08 +0000 Yating Yang Yating Yang A major Chinese second-hand platform has sparked online controversy after allegedly requiring a mother to submit an uninterrupted five-minute video of herself slapping her child as a condition for processing a refund. The case drew public attention when Li Yun, the mother of an unidentified 11-year-old girl, tried to get a refund after discovering that her daughter had secretly spent over 500 yuan (US$70) on trading cards on the Qiandao app. Qiandao is widely regarded as China’s leading platform... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3329779/china-toy-platform-refund-policy-requires-parents-scold-slap-child-unapproved-spending?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3329779/china-toy-platform-refund-policy-requires-parents-scold-slap-child-unapproved-spending?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 22 Oct 2025 10:00:08 +0000 Sam Evans Sam Evans Feet pad on the mat as two Brazilian jiu-jitsu competitors cautiously approach each other at the beginning of a face-off. The pair’s cotton gi robes rub together as they become embroiled in a grapple. There is a thud as one gets the upper hand, rolling their opponent to the ground. These sights and sounds became familiar to veterinarian Anthony Hollis over months of watching his sons’ classes at Espada Studio in Hong Kong’s Sheung Wan neighbourhood. About five years ago, Hollis decided to go... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3329788/how-brazilian-jiu-jitsu-benefits-body-and-mind-and-martial-arts-rise-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3329788/how-brazilian-jiu-jitsu-benefits-body-and-mind-and-martial-arts-rise-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 22 Oct 2025 03:00:10 +0000 Zoey Zhang Zoey Zhang A video of parents from eastern China celebrating their son’s exam results after he got just one point above a pass has gone viral online. Unlike the typical Chinese “tiger parenting” style, the father prioritised his child’s health and happiness over perfection. The clip shows a mother entering a house with three children, holding an exam paper and smiling broadly. She excitedly tells her husband, who is lying on the couch: “Our son scored 61 out of 100; he passed the monthly maths exam.” The... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3329079/clip-china-parents-celebrating-son-passing-exam-goes-viral-dad-values-boys-happiness?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3329079/clip-china-parents-celebrating-son-passing-exam-goes-viral-dad-values-boys-happiness?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 18 Oct 2025 06:00:13 +0000 Associated Press Associated Press Teenagers on Instagram will be restricted to seeing PG-13 content by default and won’t be able to change their settings without a parent’s permission, Meta announced on Tuesday. This means kids using teen-specific accounts will see photos and videos on Instagram that are similar to what they would see in a PG-13 movie – no sex, drugs or dangerous stunts, among others. “This includes hiding or not recommending posts with strong language, certain risky stunts, and additional content that could... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/world/article/3329006/meta-adopts-film-industry-pg-13-standard-instagram-amid-pressure?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/world/article/3329006/meta-adopts-film-industry-pg-13-standard-instagram-amid-pressure?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 14 Oct 2025 12:31:59 +0000 Zoey Zhang Zoey Zhang A shockingly bizarre so-called guilt education activity has played out in China during which parents knelt down to form a “bridge” while students stepped on their backs. A video of the strange activity, during which some of the students are blindfolded, was filmed in Henan province, central China. The clip has gone viral and stirred controversy online. Emotional music played as a host encouraged the students, saying: “Go ahead.” The activity is part of the school’s “guilt education”, which aims... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3328363/guilt-exercise-china-school-criticised-after-students-cross-human-bridge-formed-parents?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3328363/guilt-exercise-china-school-criticised-after-students-cross-human-bridge-formed-parents?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 13 Oct 2025 01:00:08 +0000 dpa dpa In today’s fast-paced world, junk food is more accessible and enticing than ever, which has led to increased efforts to reduce the promotion of unhealthy food and drink. While the occasional treat is part of a balanced life, children can sometimes display subtle signs of a deeper, more problematic relationship with unhealthy foods. Recognising the warning signs early is the first step towards helping your child build a healthier, more balanced diet. Here are some red flags that may indicate a... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3327791/signs-your-child-addicted-junk-food-and-8-ways-help-them-kick-habit?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3327791/signs-your-child-addicted-junk-food-and-8-ways-help-them-kick-habit?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 05 Oct 2025 11:15:08 +0000 Josiah Ng Josiah Ng Getting your child into an elite school or university is more competitive than ever. Good grades, meticulously curated extracurricular profiles and outstanding personal essays are just the start of a strong application. It can be difficult to know what else is required, particularly if your child is set on studying overseas. For parents who find the ins and outs of the admissions process daunting, seeking the professional help of a consultant may be the best course of action. More than just... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/special-reports/article/3327718/how-consultants-are-helping-parents-navigate-path-elite-school-admissions?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/special-reports/article/3327718/how-consultants-are-helping-parents-navigate-path-elite-school-admissions?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 03 Oct 2025 10:15:08 +0000 Letters Letters Feel strongly about these letters, or any other aspects of the news? Share your views by emailing us your Letter to the Editor at letters@scmp.com or filling in this Google form. Submissions should not exceed 400 word Even Nobel laureates stumble. Daron Acemoglu, Simon Johnson and James A. Robinson, winners of the 2024 Nobel Prize in economics, argue that nations with extractive and non-inclusive institutions – where elites monopolise power – are doomed to stagnation. Democracies, by contrast,... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/opinion/letters/article/3325741/chinas-rise-not-anomaly-be-dismissed?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/opinion/letters/article/3325741/chinas-rise-not-anomaly-be-dismissed?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 21 Sep 2025 03:30:08 +0000 Fran Lu Fran Lu An 11-year-old Chinese boy who earned 4,000 yuan (US$550) a month selling milk tea at the night market during the summer holidays has been praised for his “business sense”. Nicknamed Nuomi, the boy is a Primary Five student in central China’s Hunan province. His mother, surnamed Li, said she let him work as a street vendor to reward him for coming first in class during last term’s final exam. He got 100 points in English and mathematics and 98 in the Chinese exam. Li said Nuomi had shown a keen... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3322502/chinese-boy-earns-us550-month-selling-milk-tea-fun-mum-praises-business-acumen?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3322502/chinese-boy-earns-us550-month-selling-milk-tea-fun-mum-praises-business-acumen?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 31 Aug 2025 08:00:08 +0000 The Asian Parent The Asian Parent When a cheeseburger costs less than a box of strawberries, it is no surprise that teenagers are reaching more for fast food than fresh fruit. But a new study led by the University of South Australia warns that it is not just diet causing concern. Teens are increasingly caught in a cycle of unhealthy lifestyle habits that could have long-term effects on their health. The study, which analysed data from more than 293,000 adolescents aged 12 to 17 across 73 countries and five World Health... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3323278/new-study-finds-alarming-trends-teen-health-exercise-diet-and-screen-time?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3323278/new-study-finds-alarming-trends-teen-health-exercise-diet-and-screen-time?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 28 Aug 2025 09:15:07 +0000 Alice Yan Alice Yan A man in southern China who took his 10-year-old daughter and eight-year-old son on an 800km walk to toughen them up has been praised on social media. The father, surnamed Wu, and his two children started their month-long trek from the Baoan District in Shenzhen, southern China, on July 17 and ended it on August 17 in Changsha in the country’s central Hunan province, according to a report in Jimu News. “I had not expected they would carry it through to the end. I feel relieved and proud of... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3322623/proud-chinese-dad-walks-800km-31-days-his-young-children-toughen-them?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3322623/proud-chinese-dad-walks-800km-31-days-his-young-children-toughen-them?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 27 Aug 2025 10:00:09 +0000 Alice Yan Alice Yan A father in China has sparked controversy for abandoning his young son on a busy highway as punishment for hitting his older brother during a quarrel. The man came under the spotlight after a motorcycle travel influencer posted a video of the abandoned youngster, who is thought to be seven or eight years old, online. It showed a young boy standing alone on the side of No. 219 National Highway in the Xinjiang Autonomous Region of northwest China. The stranded boy even tried to hail a lift, the... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3322490/china-boy-left-highway-dad-after-fight-brother-car-mum-walks-15km-find-him?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3322490/china-boy-left-highway-dad-after-fight-brother-car-mum-walks-15km-find-him?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 26 Aug 2025 10:00:09 +0000