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SCMP Reporter

How can children be protected from lewd material on the Net?
Given the rapid advances in technology, children now have access to the internet and may be exposed to obscene material.
They use the Net to help with their  schoolwork and  in the process  may come across pornographic websites, often inadvertently. An advert with obscene content may pop up without warning.  Young people who see  it may  click on it out of curiosity.
It is important for parents  to help their children deal with these problems by giving them  proper guidance and acting as role models. If children are not  helped, they may develop an unhealthy attitude towards sex.
As the responsible government department, the Television and Entertainment Licensing Authority should put out adverts promoting proper moral standards.
Today's teenagers are the future of our society. We must help them  grow into mature, well-rounded adults who can deal with these issues in a responsible manner.
Annie Kwong, Ho Man Tin
What can be done to save water?
Because water charges are so low, most Hong Kong residents do not care how much water they consume  every day.
This contrasts with the situation in Australia. In some parts of the country there is an acute water shortage and there are even plans to add recycled water to the water supply.
The government must try to  educate Hongkongers to waste less water.
For example, in many washrooms in Hong Kong's shopping malls, the traditional toilets have been replaced by a dual-flushing system, which can save up to 25 per cent of water. But many Hong Kong people do not understand the purpose of the two buttons and press both of them when they flush the toilet.
Environmental education should also be made a compulsory subject  in the school curriculum. Civic education should be taught as a separate subject, instead of being  a part of other subjects.
If young people are educated correctly at school, then this will have an impact on society when they grow up.
Also, they  may influence other members of the family to save water.  We must all learn to treasure water.
Just imagine how much water  is saved if each Hongkonger reduces water consumption by 1 litre a day.
One simple way to save water is to have a shower instead of a bath. Also, I use the water for washing vegetables to water  my plants and for cleaning my kitchen.
But learning these little tips will be futile if we cannot change the attitude of Hong Kong people.
Wong Pui-yee, Kowloon
On other matters ...
For those people in Hong Kong who live, work or pass by any of the hundreds of sites where a developer is in the pile-driving stages of construction, you know how unsettling this can be.
You feel the ground shake, your windows rattle, hanging lights swing in the air. Or, perhaps like me, you begin to notice cracks appearing in your floors or in other parts of your home.
In response to this, I decided it was time for  the Buildings Department  to check  if, indeed, the vibration from the construction site near my flat was 'over the limit'. I contacted the department via e-mail to express my concern and encouraged them to investigate.
I was surprised to receive a response the next day with an offer to come to check it out. However, the fast response was not to be the last of my surprises. When the officials showed up, they brought with them a team of the contractors who were responsible for the construction project next door.
As you might imagine, the team concluded that the vibration it recorded  on that day was well within the approved limit.
In fact, they showed me records that the 'client' (also known as the 'developer') had been keeping regularly.  These records showed that  the vibrations had never been over the limit. Imagine that, the developer  itself is the one  entrusted to ensure that  its activities are safe for the surrounding areas.
To me it seems somewhat suspicious that developers are allowed to monitor themselves. Of course, they are not going to find any problem. We are the ones at risk and the system in place is not sufficient to protect us. Unfortunately, it will probably take a serious accident like a slope collapsing for any one in a position of authority to notice the system is failing the residents of Hong Kong.
Dare Koslow, Central
According to a survey conducted by a Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong district councillor, the public is becoming increasingly concerned about the need for public toilets in MTR stations.
In the survey, a vast majority of respondents said they would like to see public toilet facilities provided at these stations.
Although there are staff toilets available for use by passengers, if they urgently need to do so,  public toilets should be provided inside the paid areas of interchange stations such as Central, Admiralty, Yau Tong and Quarry Bay. Some passengers who have to travel a long way may have to use a toilet during the journey.  They should not have to exit through a turnstile to do so. They would  prefer to use toilets located inside the paid area, rather than having to find a facility outside the MTR stations.
I realise the technical difficulties involved in putting in these toilets, such as the connection to the sewage system and avoiding high-voltage wires.  But I think the problem  can be solved by installing what are known as ecological dry toilets.
In fact, there are  successful instances of toilets in underground stations in Shanghai and Taiwan.
This matter can easily be resolved if a company with a good reputation for providing excellent services is appointed to deal with  it.
Patsy Au Yeung, Kennedy Town



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