Your Voice: Don’t force kids to grow up too quickly; keep online behaviour in check (short letters)

A recent SCMP article spoke of a 12-year-old Chinese boy working in his family restaurant. Undoubtedly, he has respectable qualities, and his eagerness to repay his parents’ dedication is commendable.

In a fast-paced and ever-changing society like China, where hard work is glorified, it is understandable that his actions have garnered predominantly positive responses from netizens. However, this news raised concerns for me.

I vividly recall my childhood, when going to the playground filled my heart with joy. I can’t imagine how different it would have been if I had to work tirelessly for hours after school. Aren’t children entitled to engage in activities they truly enjoy before society imposes work and academic pressures on them?

What saddened me the most was how the boy became furious when urged to unwind. Overworking may bring success and personal growth, but what about the downsides? When one becomes too immersed in their work, they become unaware of the detrimental impacts of overworking.

Does Chinese culture truly foster nurturing young talents, or does it impose unnecessary stress on young shoulders?

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Phoebe Chang, Pope Paul Vi College

Trevor Jacob, an American YouTuber and former Olympic snowboarding athlete, was sentenced to six months in jail for intentionally destroying an aeroplane to gain online views and obstructing a federal investigation.

This shows a troubling phenomenon where content creators feel compelled to push boundaries and engage in increasingly extreme acts. The relentless quest for views and likes has created an environment where shock value overshadows one’s responsibilities.

Addressing this issue requires action from both platforms and viewers. Platforms should be more proactive in monitoring and regulating uploaded content, while viewers must support content creators who prioritise authenticity, creativity and positive messaging over sensationalism and risky stunts.

Parents, educators and online influencers play a crucial role in educating the youth about the potential dangers of seeking validation through extreme actions.

Let us create a safer and more responsible digital landscape for content creators and viewers alike.

He Hua, Hong Kong Taoist Association Tang Hin Memorial Secondary School

In human society, the mantra of “survival of the fittest” is vividly embodied in the keen competition that starts from a person’s earliest stage of life until death. Therefore, it is high time we analyse the benefits and detriments that competition has brought to teenagers’ personal development.

Competition helps enhance knowledge and raises the education level of society. It breathes life into the economy as more talent becomes available for higher levels of industry.

However, being hyper-competitive restrains teenagers from acknowledging their uniqueness and tends to drive them into a state of panic. This results in hindrances to effective learning and overall well-being, which contradicts the principle of personal development.

Over-competition may even lead to prolonged depression and stress, which are among the reasons why many teenagers resort to suicide. Hence, unhealthy competition may stifle teenagers’ optimism towards their goals and deal a blow to their self-esteem.

Competition drives teenagers to constantly gear themselves up to keep up with the rapid development of society, but there has to be limits.

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Audrey Tsang, Tsuen Wan Public Ho Chuen Yiu Memorial College

Recently, many Hong Kong students have found they cannot withstand the high pressure from schools and families and have chosen to take their own lives. I have heard many complaints from my schoolmates and friends as well.

But I want to help local students de-stress, so let me share my methods to unwind with you.

First, staying at home too long makes us prone to negative thinking. Go out for coffee with friends, take a walk in the park, or ride a bicycle by the sea.

Secondly, we often tend to hide our negative emotions, but this only makes things worse. There is no need to hide those emotions; just let them out by crying. If you find it embarrassing, do it when no one is around you.

Lastly, when you find that your thoughts have become muddled, engage in some daily housework. You can tidy up your room, for example. If you have the time, you can even order your favourite scented candle and play some relaxing music. Your mood will definitely improve.

While it is essential to manage your studies well, it is also crucial to maintain a positive mindset.