Do you have strong opinions about these letters or other aspects of the news? Let us know what you think by emailing us a letter to the editor. [email protected] Or, fill out this Google form. Submissions should be no more than 400 words and include your name, address, and a verifying phone number. 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 the physical and mental health of children in particular.
Recently, The Economist analyzed suicide data from 17 developed countries (including the UK, Germany, the US, South Korea and Australia) from 2003 to 2021 and found that suicide rates among young women, particularly girls aged 10-19, have skyrocketed over the past decade. This coincides with the rise of social media. Is there a correlation between social media consumption and poor mental health?
The jury is still out, but given growing concerns about young people's mental health, I believe more attention should be paid to the negative effects of too much screen time (“Rise in Hong Kong youth suicides sparks calls for more action,” June 12).
In Hong Kong, 86.7 percent of children between the ages of 10 and 14 own a mobile phone. A survey last year found that primary school students in Hong Kong spend an average of four hours a day on digital devices on weekdays and up to six hours on weekends and holidays — figures comparable to other countries. In the United States and Japan, a separate survey last year found that teenagers spend an average of nearly five hours a day online.
Some authorities are taking action. In March, the US state of Florida passed a bill banning social media use by children under the age of 14. In mainland China, authorities plan to limit children's smartphone use to no more than two hours a day. The British government has considered banning the sale of mobile phones to people under the age of 16. The Hong Kong government has rolled out a range of programs to support students' mental health, including a system to identify suicide risks in schools, but it may also need to investigate students' screen time and online behavior.
Meanwhile, parents should be aware that trying to get their kids to stop using social media usually leads to conflict and is rarely effective: experts suggest negotiating screen time schedules with their kids and organizing more outdoor activities on weekends.
Dr. Winnie Tan (Adjunct Professor, Faculty of Engineering, Faculty of Social Sciences and Faculty of Architecture, The University of Hong Kong)
One area where the US leads: single-use plastics.
I just returned from a month-long trip to the US to visit family, and there were three things that stood out to me during my trip.
First, I did not carry a cent during my one month stay in Hong Kong. I did not carry any cash. I felt like I encountered more merchants in the US that accepted digital and credit card payments compared to Hong Kong. Second, my friends and others I met have no understanding or interest in Hong Kong and do not know what US politicians are trying to impose on our great city. They are more worried about the disaster of the Biden administration. The third and most striking observation is that the US remains addicted to single-use plastics. There are some state-level regulations, but the country as a whole has not implemented the responsible ban that Hong Kong is gradually implementing. Plastic straws are everywhere. Some single-use plastic products are even wrapped and sealed in plastic.
It seems like we've come a long way compared to the U.S., with one notable exception: Supermarkets in some cities and states no longer provide bags for groceries; you must bring your own bags or carry your purchases under your arm.
Still, when it comes to efforts to eliminate single-use plastics, well done, Hong Kong!
Simon Constantinides, Sai Kun
Why a guilty verdict won't hurt Donald Trump's campaign
Former US President Donald Trump was found guilty in a hush money trial in New York. The case continues to reverberate across the US. The jury verdict handed down last month could tip the scales in Trump's favour in the November 5th presidential election.
If Trump is portrayed as the victim of a political witch hunt by his opponents trying to sabotage his reelection campaign, voter sympathy could return him to the White House.
As the Tao Te Ching says, “Good fortune follows disaster, and disaster lurks in good fortune. No one knows how things will end.” Joe Biden's administration and its supporters have only themselves to blame if they have truly miscalculated. America has experienced tumultuous moments in its 248-year history. As a student of history, I would say that my knowledge of this young country has been gradually augmented by interesting episodes such as President John F. Kennedy, Watergate, and Bill Clinton.
Perhaps we should not be too quick to judge when faced with a case like Clinton's: the American public may be savvy enough to overlook Trump's small mistakes.
Luo Wai Harbor, Tsuen Wan
