Hong Kong should ban children under 16 from social media – danger of self-harm, even suicide

Should Hong Kong ban children under 16 from using social media following the example of Australia, France, Malaysia, Indonesia, UK and Canada?

A “Hong Kong Kids Online” survey in 2022 published by Hong Kong University revealed that 40% teenagers exposed to unwelcomed sexual content or requests, and 1 in 5 teenagers experienced cyberbullying.

In March, Commissioner of Police Joe Chow Yat-ming revealed that the police recorded 20 cases related to online grooming of minors in the first two months of this year, with the youngest victim aged 10. 

And this is not a recent concern. As far back as 2016, 36 Hong Kong adolescents committed suicide where social media was deemed a contributing factor. Some were victimised by cyber bullying which can lead to suicidal ideation, according to a City University of Hong Kong study. The main issues leading to suicide are academic pressure, family conflict and other negative personal relationships with social media acting as an amplifier, fuelling fear of ridicule and triggering distress. When a youngster commits suicide multiple factors have been piling up.

Today’s teenagers are digitally connected 24/7, posting, liking, and messaging across multiple social media platforms. The average teen checks his phone 100 times a day. Peer pressure follows kids everywhere, it’s right there in their pockets. Negative peer pressure can push children towards drug use, skipping school and thoughts of self-harm. A teen is likely to base his estimation of self-worth on follower counts and engagement rates. They feel pressure to keep up postings that attract likes. Teens make the natural error of comparing their own boring daily life with others boasting online of perfect lives in perfect settings. They develop FOMO. Late night scrolling can affect sleep quality as the white light fools the brain into thinking it is not sleeping time. Online harassment follows kids home so they feel escape is impossible.

Legislative Council members in Hong Kong have been debating for a number of years whether to implement a social media ban for minors, following global precedents like Australia and UK’s restriction on users under 16.The Editors of SAI KUNG BUZZ encourage the Hong Kong Government to walk the walk, and not just talk the talk, and ban social media use by children under 16 as soon as possible. This can be done by forcing tech companies to implement strict age-verification technologies, such as ID or facial scanning, and mandating the deactivation of underage accounts. Tech platforms should face massive fines for failure to comply. The latest proposal from the UK government, and the experience of more than six months in Australia identifies the most practical ways to implement such legislation.

What parents can do:

• Spend more time with your child and make your concern for them clear
• Listen to your child and identify with their feelings; do not criticise or blame
• Spend quality time with your child and cultivate a close relationship
• Encourage your child to make friends and spend time with them
• Show your child how to release feelings, solve problems and take care of themself
• Teach them to recognise manipulative content online and unrealistic portrayals.

In Hong Kong, Samaritan Befrienders offer an emotional support hotline 2389 2222 and chat group 2389 2227 or WhatsApp 5779 7356