Hong Kong teenagers are more likely to spend their money on karaoke and movies than their mainland counterparts - who are more willing to spend on study and books.
A survey jointly conducted by three social organisations in Hong Kong, Guangzhou and Macau yesterday revealed the spending patterns of 1,500 teenagers aged 15 to 18 in the three cities.
Sixty-nine per cent of Hong Kong youngsters go to the cinema more than once a month, a luxury enjoyed by 43 per cent of mainlanders and only 30 per cent of Macau teenagers.
Exactly half of the Hong Kong teenagers go to karaoke parlours more than once a month, compared to 43 per cent for Guangzhou teens and 34 per cent in Macau.
In contrast, 69 per cent of the teenagers in Guangzhou spend some of their own money on study and books - with 15 per cent claiming to buy a book every week. In Hong Kong, 32 per cent spent their own money on study, and in Macau, 27 per cent. Magazines or comics were among the monthly purchases of 60 per cent of Hong Kong teenagers.
Karl Lau Chun-chuen, deputy general secretary of the Chinese YMCA of Hong Kong, said the group was worried by the findings.
'Obviously it is not good. We have been trying to encourage our teenagers to read more. If they spend more on enjoyment than on books, how can we build a knowledge-based society?' Mr Lau asked.