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SCMP Reporter

Don't help the hackers
Hong Kong, as an international financial centre, is supposed to be a place where citizens can enjoy the information on the internet safely and without any worries.
However, the article 'HK No. 2 in regional cyber fraud City a hackers' paradise, Web survey shows' (SCMP, September 19, 2007) made me think about the issue of internet safety.
The government may  be the first to be blamed but, it should not  shoulder all responsibility.
Cyber criminals and internet users  are also to blame .
No matter how hard the government tries to improve the regulating policy, cyber criminals  always  manage to escape punishment.
On the other hand, individual citizens can lose their personal information because they do not take care of their security.
If they were more aware, they could deter criminals.
However, the government could do something to raise people's awareness of the importance of protecting their personal details.
Advertisements and education in school would be a good start.
The situation will only  improve if the government and the citizens co-operate with each other.
Bonnie Mak, Hang Seng School of Commerce
Setting an example
To be honest, I'm not a devoted patriot, but I'm not ashamed to be Chinese. No, I am proud, especially when I'm abroad.
In fact, my sense of belonging towards Hong Kong and China always bursts from the bottom of my heart when I travel in foreign countries or talk to foreigners.
I had been mistaken by foreigners for a Japanese person. I wasn't particularly angry, but I've always been eager to point out  that I am from Hong Kong, which is a Chinese city.
However, every time I come across Chinese tourists during my travels and journeys, I feel ashamed.
Many of them, I'm not saying all, do disgusting and impolite things like talking loudly, spitting, smoking in non-smoking areas, littering, not queuing up, and so on.
I don't have the guts to stop them from behaving like that. On the other hand, being one of 1.3 billion Chinese, I do feel the need to do my part.
What I have done is to be as polite and well-mannered as possible and show foreigners that not all Chinese people are bad-mannered.
Therefore, I would like to urge all Hongkongers to show their patriotism by doing  their own  bit.
Stop the talking and start the action.
Bryan Chan, Queen's College
Brilliant Bryant
My idol is Kobe Bryant. He is a great basketball player. I think he is the best player in the National Basketball Association (NBA).
I  admire him very much.
Bryant was born on August 23, 1978 in Philadelphia. He is 1.98 metres tall and  weighs about 100 kg. He  plays for the Los Angeles Lakers as a shooting guard.
Bryant learned  the fundamentals of basketball in Italy when he was a boy and chose to concentrate on  the sport when he had  a growth spurt at around 11 years old.
By the time he was 14 he was beating his dad, a former NBA player and coach, one-on-one and he knew that basketball was the sport for him.
Bryant first joined the NBA in 1997. At that time he was the youngest player to start an NBA game at 18.
In the beginning he did not get good results but he didn't give up,  he  tried to improve.
By the 2001-2002 season  Bryant was named as Most Valuable Player (MVP)  at the 2002 All-Star game.
The Lakers' record was better than the previous year  and  he averaged 25 points, 5.5 rebounds and
5.5 assists per game.
Bryant  joined forces with Shaquille O'Neal and the pair led the Lakers to their third title with a victory against the New Jersey Nets.
Bryant works very hard  at basketball skills and keeps trying to improve. That's why I like him.  He sets a good example for us.
If you do not give up and keep learning, you will be  better.
I also like Bryant  because I  love basketball too.
And I think the best thing is that he can earn money  from his hobby.
Bryant shows us that if we  work hard  we can be useful. After all, the world will depend on our generation in the  future.
Chung Hong-shing, Tsuen Wan Public Ho Chuen Yiu Memorial College
The wrong date
Dating is one of the hot topics in secondary school. But, if students spend time dating, they will have less time for studies.
Dating at secondary school age could also cause family and financial problems. It could even lead to teenage pregnancy.
Not all parents allow their children to date. Some think their children are not mature enough.
According to my experience, secondary school students will do almost anything for their lovers.
They spend too much time dating and ignore their studies.
Moreover, they ignore their family's will, and argue with their parents.
Students only get a fixed amount of pocket money every month. If they date, they need to spend more money.
Some of them  do part-time jobs, and some even steal money from home. Their parents will be hurt.
Are secondary schools students mature enough to date?  Can they get  afford it?
From what I've seen they are not ready. It will  cost them  but cannot benefit them.
Secondary students should not date.
Kelvin Fok Chung-fung, SKH Li Fook Hing Secondary School



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