Feel strongly about these letters, or any other aspects of the news? Share your views by emailing us your Letter to the Editor at [email protected] or filling in this Google form. Submissions should not exceed 400 words, and must include your full name and address, plus a phone number for verification Should Hong Kong consider limiting children’s screen time? The proliferation of electronic devices and the rise of addictive social media have prompted much soul-searching over the years about their impact on
physical and
mental health – especially among
children.
Recently, The Economist analysed suicide data from 17 developed countries (including the United Kingdom, Germany, the United States, South Korea and Australia) between 2003 and 2021, and found that the suicide rate among young women, especially girls aged 10-19, had risen sharply over the past decade. This coincides with the rise of social media. Is there a correlation between social media consumption and poorer mental health?
The jury is still out, but in light of the heightened concern over young people’s mental health, I believe we should pay more attention to the ill effects of too much screen time (“Rise in suicides among young Hongkongers sparks calls for more action”,
June 12).
In Hong Kong, 86.7 per cent of children aged 10-14 own a mobile phone. According to a survey last year, primary school pupils here spend a daily average of four hours on digital devices on weekdays, and up to six hours during weekends and public holidays. These figures are comparable to those elsewhere. Both in the United States and Japan, separate polls last year found that teenagers spend on average nearly five hours a day online.
Some authorities are doing something about it. The US state of Florida passed a bill in March this year banning the use of social media by children under the age of 14. In mainland China, the authorities are planning to
limit children’s smartphone use to no more than two hours a day. The UK government considered banning the sale of mobile phones to people under 16.
As the Hong Kong government rolls out various programmes to support students’ mental health, including a
mechanism to identity suicide risks in schools, maybe it should also look into students’ screen time and internet behaviour.
Meanwhile, parents should be aware that forcing children to stop using social media would usually only lead to conflict but have little effect. Experts have suggested negotiating a screen use schedule with children and arranging more outdoor activities for weekends.
Dr Winnie Tang, adjunct professor, faculties of engineering, social sciences, and architecture, University of Hong Kong
One area where we’re leading the US: single-use plastics
I just returned from a month-long trip to the US to visit my family. Three things really stuck out during my trip.
Firstly, for the whole month I was there, I did not carry a single cent; I had no cash whatsoever. I seemed to encounter more merchants in the US that accept digital or credit card payment, compared to Hong Kong. Secondly, my friends and other people I met have neither understanding of, nor interest in, Hong Kong, and are unaware of what
US politicians are trying to impose on our great city. They are more concerned about the disasters of the Biden administration.
The third and most prominent observation was how the US is still in love with single-use plastics. While there are some state-level regulations, the country as a whole has not implemented
the responsible ban that Hong Kong is phasing in. Plastic straws are everywhere. There are single-use plastic items that are sometimes wrapped and sealed in plastic.
We appear to have made more significant progress compared to the US, except in one noticeable case – supermarkets in some cities and states no longer provide bags for your groceries. Either bring your own bag or carry your purchases in your arms.
Nonetheless, when it comes to working to stamp out single-use plastics, well done Hong Kong!
Simon Constantinides, Sai Kung
Why a guilty verdict won’t hurt Donald Trump’s campaign
Former United States president Donald Trump has been
found guilty in the hush money trial in New York. The ripples from this case continue to spread across the country. The jury verdict handed down last month may turn out to be advantageous to him in the November 5 presidential election.
If Trump is portrayed as the victim of a political witch hunt by opponents seeking to derail his re-election campaign, voter sympathy for him might send him back to the White House.
As it says in the
Tao Te Ching, “Good fortune follows upon disaster, disaster lurks within good fortune, who can say how things will end?” The Joe Biden administration and its supporters would have nobody but themselves to blame, if they have indeed
miscalculated.
America has experienced tumultuous moments in its 248 years of history. As a student of history, I would say my knowledge of this young nation has been augmented bit by bit by interesting episodes such as the John F. Kennedy presidency, the Watergate scandal and the
Bill Clinton affair.
When we encounter a case similar to the Clinton case, should we be less quick to judge? The American public may well be sophisticated enough to overlook a minor mistake by Trump.
Lo Wai Kong, Tsuen Wan
