https://www.scmp.com/rss/325359/feed Latest news, features and analysis on Hong Kong youth, with a focus on education, young people’s sense of identity and role in anti-government protests. en https://assets.i-scmp.com/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www.scmp.com Letters Letters Feel strongly about these letters, or any other aspects of the news? Share your views by emailing us your Letter to the Editor at letters@scmp.com or filling in this Google form. Submissions should not exceed 400 words. The recent survey finding that nearly one in four Hong Kong students cannot complete homework without artificial intelligence is a wake-up call. The deeper crisis is not that students are using AI. It is that they may no longer notice what they are losing in the process. Earlier... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/letters/article/3353497/hong-kong-students-must-learn-use-ai-without-losing-themselves?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/letters/article/3353497/hong-kong-students-must-learn-use-ai-without-losing-themselves?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 17 May 2026 03:30:04 +0000 Letters Letters Feel strongly about these letters, or any other aspects of the news? Share your views by emailing us your Letter to the Editor at letters@scmp.com or filling in this Google form. Submissions should not exceed 400 words. The recent student backlash over Kwun Tong Maryknoll College’s strict phone-free policy has reignited a vital debate in Hong Kong: not whether young people should use phones, but how and when schools should allow them. Many schools already ask students to switch devices off or... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/letters/article/3353352/phone-free-policy-will-work-only-if-students-help-create-it?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/letters/article/3353352/phone-free-policy-will-work-only-if-students-help-create-it?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 15 May 2026 03:30:05 +0000 Jolene Otremba Jolene Otremba When Jenny began questioning the presence of children’s faces online, it wasn’t because of her own daughters. “I think it was when my niece turned 13,” she says. “She told her mum, ‘I don’t like seeing my face on social media.’ That really stuck with me.” Her daughters are now six and eight, but the comment prompted her to think ahead. “How will my kids feel when they see [their faces] in the future?” she wondered. That question is increasingly being asked by millennial parents in Hong Kong.... https://www.scmp.com/special-reports/article/3351106/why-parents-and-schools-are-rethinking-sharing-kids-photos-social-media?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/special-reports/article/3351106/why-parents-and-schools-are-rethinking-sharing-kids-photos-social-media?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 14 May 2026 22:00:06 +0000 SCMP Editorial SCMP Editorial Mobile phones are being barred from a growing number of classrooms around the world amid concerns about the disruption these devices can cause. While Hong Kong has not imposed a citywide ban, rules are tightening at individual schools. A student outcry at one institution has put a spotlight on the need to strike a better balance with phone restrictions. Form Three and Four pupils at the boys’ school Kwun Tong Maryknoll College were told on April 30 they would not be allowed to use phones on... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3352862/hong-kong-schools-must-balance-phone-policy-against-student-concerns?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3352862/hong-kong-schools-must-balance-phone-policy-against-student-concerns?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 10 May 2026 23:15:10 +0000 Letters Letters Feel strongly about these letters, or any other aspects of the news? Share your views by emailing us your Letter to the Editor at letters@scmp.com or filling in this Google form. Submissions should not exceed 400 words. Midnight. A teenager in Hong Kong lies in bed, his mind racing with thoughts that won’t stop. What if I’m not good enough? What if everyone thinks I’m fine but I’m not? The worries feel too embarrassing to tell others and too heavy to carry alone. So he picks up his phone, opens... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/letters/article/3352725/its-ok-open-ai-bot-just-dont-stop-there?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/letters/article/3352725/its-ok-open-ai-bot-just-dont-stop-there?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 10 May 2026 03:30:07 +0000 Fiona Sun Fiona Sun Hong Kong education authorities have ordered a primary school to submit a report after a national flag was found hanging upside down on campus. The Education Bureau said on Thursday that it had followed up on the incident at F.S.F.T.F. Fong Shu Chuen Primary School in Fanling. Online images earlier showed that the national flag was hanging upside down on top of a building at the school. “The Education Bureau immediately contacted the school upon learning of the incident. The school promptly... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/education/article/3352803/hong-kong-school-ordered-submit-report-after-national-flag-hung-upside-down?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/education/article/3352803/hong-kong-school-ordered-submit-report-after-national-flag-hung-upside-down?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 07 May 2026 14:41:57 +0000 SCMP Editorial SCMP Editorial Global efforts to protect children from online harm are being stepped up, from the bans on social media use to the measures making platforms safer. But the scourge of child pornography and the threat to the young of being groomed for sexual abuse remain prevalent. Law enforcement agencies have a responsibility to ensure their efforts to investigate, track down and arrest the culprits are successful. This requires close collaboration among police forces in different countries. The latest... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3352133/recognise-need-protect-our-children-online-threats?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3352133/recognise-need-protect-our-children-online-threats?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 03 May 2026 22:45:12 +0000 Letters Letters Feel strongly about these letters, or any other aspects of the news? Share your views by emailing us your Letter to the Editor at letters@scmp.com or filling in this Google form. Submissions should not exceed 400 words. The 11th National Security Education Day once again showcased Hong Kong’s commitment to safeguarding stability while deepening integration into China’s national framework. Yet beneath the banners and speeches lies a sobering truth: the city’s future hinges not only on patriotic... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/letters/article/3352104/hong-kong-must-prioritise-well-being-flag-bearers-tomorrow?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/letters/article/3352104/hong-kong-must-prioritise-well-being-flag-bearers-tomorrow?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 02 May 2026 03:30:09 +0000 Amanda Sheppard Amanda Sheppard In recent months, families across Hong Kong have faced the difficult task of helping children process emotions resulting from the fire at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po, on top of a stream of unsettling news from around the world. Even children not directly affected may have seen images online, overheard adult conversations, or sensed anxiety at school and at home. Many parents struggle with how much to explain and how to respond to reactions that can seem unpredictable or confusing. “Children often... https://www.scmp.com/special-reports/article/3351775/how-parents-can-help-their-children-deal-grief-after-tai-po-tragedy?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/special-reports/article/3351775/how-parents-can-help-their-children-deal-grief-after-tai-po-tragedy?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 29 Apr 2026 22:00:13 +0000 Fiona Sun Fiona Sun Hong Kong authorities have failed to meet targets on the supply and construction of youth hostels, with the number of flats offered accounting for only 44 per cent of what was intended, an audit report has found. The Audit Commission on Wednesday released its report reviewing the government’s development and management of the facilities under the Youth Hostel Scheme, which covered seven hostels, including two that had been completed and were in operation. The review found that as of December... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3351848/youth-hostel-scheme-falls-short-only-44-expected-flats-offered-audit?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3351848/youth-hostel-scheme-falls-short-only-44-expected-flats-offered-audit?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 29 Apr 2026 09:13:32 +0000 Letters Letters Feel strongly about these letters, or any other aspects of the news? Share your views by emailing us your Letter to the Editor at letters@scmp.com or filling in this Google form. Submissions should not exceed 400 words. I refer to “Number of Hong Kong secondary students with mental illness doubles in 5 years” (April 15). The doubling of diagnosed cases, and the bureau’s own admission that figures are likely under-reported, should alarm us all. I welcome the government’s decision to extend the... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/letters/article/3351230/pathway-hong-kong-pupils-well-being-runs-through-relationships?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/letters/article/3351230/pathway-hong-kong-pupils-well-being-runs-through-relationships?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 25 Apr 2026 03:30:08 +0000 SCMP Editorial SCMP Editorial Hong Kong authorities are doubling down on safeguards and guidance on fronts ranging from state security to national education, and understandably so. The revised school curriculum guide seeking to make children as young as six “feel proud to be Chinese” and gain a basic understanding of national affairs might be perceived as another aggressive step in this regard, but it is part of a broader drive to close the gaps stemming from inadequacies over the decades. Compared with the 2021 version, the... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3350978/new-curriculum-guide-will-bolster-national-identity-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3350978/new-curriculum-guide-will-bolster-national-identity-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 22 Apr 2026 22:45:07 +0000 SCMP Editorial SCMP Editorial The mental health problems faced by Hong Kong’s young show no signs of abating despite new policies and programmes. Government figures presented to lawmakers last week highlight the alarming extent of the problem. Education authorities revealed the number of secondary school pupils diagnosed with mental illness had more than doubled over the last five academic years, with a 54 per cent increase in primary schools. A positive view, as education minister Christine Choi Yuk-lin said, is that the... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3350678/hong-kong-should-do-everything-possible-youth-mental-health?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3350678/hong-kong-should-do-everything-possible-youth-mental-health?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 20 Apr 2026 23:15:09 +0000 Salomé Grouard Salomé Grouard French sociologist Émile Durkheim described the classroom as society’s “great workshop”: a place where collective values are forged and passed between generations. It is here that the core lessons of social life, acceptance of others and respect for differences, are meant to take root. For too many LGBTQ students in Hong Kong, however, reality has often fallen short of that ideal. Liam Mak, co-founder and co-director of Quarks, the city’s first support network for transgender youth, describes... https://www.scmp.com/special-reports/article/3350488/how-hong-kongs-students-and-educators-are-reshaping-lgbt-inclusivity-classrooms?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/special-reports/article/3350488/how-hong-kongs-students-and-educators-are-reshaping-lgbt-inclusivity-classrooms?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 17 Apr 2026 22:00:14 +0000 William Yiu William Yiu A primary school on an outlying island in Hong Kong will cease operations in the 2029-30 academic year after failing to submit a survival plan due to an insufficient number of Primary One pupils for next year. CCC Cheung Chau Church Kam Kong Primary School will also be the first of 15 under-enrolled schools barred from operating subsidised Primary One classes from September. A spokeswoman for the Education Bureau said on Friday that the school did not apply for any survival options despite being... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/education/article/3350415/hong-kong-primary-school-close-2029-over-primary-one-enrolment-shortfall?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/education/article/3350415/hong-kong-primary-school-close-2029-over-primary-one-enrolment-shortfall?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 17 Apr 2026 05:38:56 +0000 William Yiu William Yiu Hong Kong authorities expect students as young as six to “feel proud to be Chinese” and to have a basic understanding of national affairs, according to a revamped guide on values education stressing patriotism. The 2026 Values Education Curriculum Framework, published by the Education Bureau on Thursday, applies to all government, aided, special and private schools, as well as those under the Direct Subsidy Scheme. The framework was prepared by the Standing Committee on Values Education, which... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/education/article/3350358/hong-kong-students-young-6-should-feel-proud-be-chinese-learning-guide?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/education/article/3350358/hong-kong-students-young-6-should-feel-proud-be-chinese-learning-guide?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 16 Apr 2026 12:54:22 +0000 SCMP Editorial SCMP Editorial The fate of thousands of protesters arrested in the 2019 turmoil had long faded from public attention until recently when it was disclosed that they were being given a second chance under a special rehabilitation programme. The move is not just a welcome step towards offering them a path back to normalcy but also towards narrowing the deep political divide left by the unrest. The leniency towards some 7,000 people arrested but not prosecuted is not about excusing wrongdoings. As security chief... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3349906/path-rehabilitation-those-arrested-2019-unrest-welcome?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3349906/path-rehabilitation-those-arrested-2019-unrest-welcome?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 13 Apr 2026 22:45:08 +0000 Alice Wu Alice Wu Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu visited one of the schools offering free after-school care for low-income families last month. After receiving positive feedback from participants, he pledged to extend the programme to benefit more families. Lee said it had helped promote family harmony, with children also reporting “positive development in both academic and social aspects”. There’s little doubt we should celebrate victories, however small, but it is equally important to examine... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/hong-kong-opinion/article/3349609/education-equality-hong-kong-policymakers-must-do-their-homework?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/hong-kong-opinion/article/3349609/education-equality-hong-kong-policymakers-must-do-their-homework?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 12 Apr 2026 21:30:08 +0000 Letters Letters Feel strongly about these letters, or any other aspects of the news? Share your views by emailing us your Letter to the Editor at letters@scmp.com or filling in this Google form. Submissions should not exceed 400 words What is the best way to resolve the predicament of under-enrolled primary schools in Hong Kong? There are currently 591 primary schools, most of which are subsidised and under the management of sponsoring organisations; about 30 are government-operated. It is forecast that the... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/letters/article/3349233/hong-kongs-under-enrolled-primary-schools-can-be-overhauled-more-painlessly?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/letters/article/3349233/hong-kongs-under-enrolled-primary-schools-can-be-overhauled-more-painlessly?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 08 Apr 2026 03:30:08 +0000 Andrea Lo Andrea Lo Hong Kong’s international schools talk a great deal about preparing students for university. Increasingly, they are also building spaces with this in mind. Rather than functioning simply as a backdrop to academic programmes, the physical environment is envisioned as a tool to shape behaviour. In new campuses, students are encouraged to practise independence, engage in collaborative work and build the self-management skills they will need beyond school. Stamford American School’s West Kowloon... https://www.scmp.com/special-reports/article/3348636/how-hong-kong-schools-are-transforming-mirror-university-style-spaces?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/special-reports/article/3348636/how-hong-kong-schools-are-transforming-mirror-university-style-spaces?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 02 Apr 2026 07:15:07 +0000 Matthew Cheng Matthew Cheng The head of Hong Kong’s Catholic diocese has urged the government to offer young offenders a “second chance to start anew” and to introduce legal provisions to help those with minor criminal records pursue their careers. In his Easter message on Thursday, Cardinal Stephen Chow Sau-yan also encouraged authorities to reduce the use of key performance indicators (KPIs) so that educators could have more time and space to better support students, amid persistently high youth suicide rates. “I call on... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3348768/hong-kongs-top-catholic-priest-calls-young-offenders-get-second-chance?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3348768/hong-kongs-top-catholic-priest-calls-young-offenders-get-second-chance?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 02 Apr 2026 06:34:24 +0000 Letters Letters Feel strongly about these letters, or any other aspects of the news? Share your views by emailing us your Letter to the Editor at letters@scmp.com or filling in this Google form. Submissions should not exceed 400 words The Mental Health Association of Hong Kong (MAIHK) and Chinese University of Hong Kong’s (CUHK) latest survey is a wake-up call: 43.5 per cent of Gen Z respondents reported moderate to severe depression. Researchers also found a positive correlation between screen time and... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/letters/article/3348107/start-early-connect-deeply-addressing-gen-zs-mental-health-crisis?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/letters/article/3348107/start-early-connect-deeply-addressing-gen-zs-mental-health-crisis?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 29 Mar 2026 03:30:09 +0000 SCMP Editorial SCMP Editorial There is a growing need to address the lack of regular exercise among Hong Kong students. Turning back the clock to more physically active childhoods is not an option. Without action at home and school to maintain physical activity amid a digital lifestyle, today’s schoolchildren face a greater risk – and an earlier onset – of ill health. A government report for the 2024-25 school year says about 94 per cent of students do not get enough moderate to vigorous exercise, recommended for at least an... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3348097/ounce-obesity-prevention-worth-kilo-cure-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3348097/ounce-obesity-prevention-worth-kilo-cure-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 27 Mar 2026 22:45:07 +0000 Rina Lai Rina Lai For most of my career in developmental and educational psychology, I have been guided by a single question: what do children truly need to flourish in the world they are entering? I don’t mean the world their parents inherited or the one textbooks were designed for, but the one unfolding – volatile, technology-saturated and deeply uncertain. Eight years ago, during my PhD studies at the University of Cambridge, I was certain I was close to finding the answer; I immersed myself in building... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/hong-kong-opinion/article/3347072/case-spiritual-wellness-age-anxious-youth?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/hong-kong-opinion/article/3347072/case-spiritual-wellness-age-anxious-youth?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 25 Mar 2026 01:30:09 +0000 Alice Wu Alice Wu “What if?” and “but why?” are questions I’ve been bombarded with by young schoolchildren. I’m often stumped, but I’ve learned to avoid giving the “worst” answer possible – “that’s the way it is” – because who’s to say things can’t change. Children’s ability to challenge the status quo, questioning norms and authority, forces us to re-examine our assumptions on why things must be the way they are. Adults are often too impatient to experiment with the alternative. We rush through our to-do lists... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/hong-kong-opinion/article/3347350/hong-kongs-education-policy-must-reflect-innovative-future-it-seeks?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/hong-kong-opinion/article/3347350/hong-kongs-education-policy-must-reflect-innovative-future-it-seeks?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 22 Mar 2026 08:30:09 +0000 Sumnima Kandangwa Sumnima Kandangwa On World Obesity Day, March 4, Hong Kong launched its first three-year action plan on weight management targeting rising obesity rates. Citing a Report of Population Health Survey 2020–22 conducted by the Department of Health, the government noted that over 50 per cent of Hong Kong’s adult population is overweight or obese based on their Body Mass Index. “It’s heartening to see the government taking steps to build a healthy community that promotes nutrition education and regular exercise,” said... https://www.scmp.com/special-reports/article/3347273/hong-kong-governments-plan-answer-obesity-or-eating-disorder-risk?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/special-reports/article/3347273/hong-kong-governments-plan-answer-obesity-or-eating-disorder-risk?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 20 Mar 2026 07:15:12 +0000 Letters Letters Feel strongly about these letters, or any other aspects of the news? Share your views by emailing us your Letter to the Editor at letters@scmp.com or filling in this Google form. Submissions should not exceed 400 words The Hong Kong Initiative for Diversity recently hosted a forum, “Building Bridges: Challenges and Solutions for Nepali Residents in Hong Kong”, bringing together educators, academics, entrepreneurs, Nepali community members and local Chinese residents for an honest discussion... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/letters/article/3346740/how-hong-kong-can-better-support-its-nepali-youth?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/letters/article/3346740/how-hong-kong-can-better-support-its-nepali-youth?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 17 Mar 2026 03:30:08 +0000 Erica Fong Erica Fong From the classroom to the parent-teacher meeting, when it comes to achievement, one question persists: is a child’s potential written in their genes, or can it be boosted by education? The debate around nature versus nurture is especially pertinent in the context of Hong Kong’s high-stakes academic milieu – one in which students may find themselves on a predetermined track in science or the arts, regardless of their own preferences or natural talents. Experts agree that a child’s potential is... https://www.scmp.com/special-reports/article/3345153/nature-versus-nurture-unlocking-potential-hong-kongs-children?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/special-reports/article/3345153/nature-versus-nurture-unlocking-potential-hong-kongs-children?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 02 Mar 2026 09:56:50 +0000 Letters Letters Feel strongly about these letters, or any other aspects of the news? Share your views by emailing us your Letter to the Editor at letters@scmp.com or filling in this Google form. Submissions should not exceed 400 words As a professional with expertise in psychiatric nursing, family counselling and mediation, I welcome the newly implemented Mandatory Reporting of Child Abuse Ordinance in principle. However, I urge society to also pay attention to the practical challenges in implementing it. The... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/letters/article/3343403/protect-children-professionals-could-also-watch-family-dynamics?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/letters/article/3343403/protect-children-professionals-could-also-watch-family-dynamics?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 14 Feb 2026 03:30:09 +0000 William Yiu,Kelly Fung William Yiu,Kelly Fung Suri Chan Tin-wing, a first-year English major at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, found herself struggling to write her first creative short story – a 300-word assignment for the compulsory course “Introduction to Literature”. Throughout her secondary schooling at Yan Chai Hospital Law Chan Chor Si College in Kowloon Bay, only science subjects, such as maths and biology, were taught in English as the school adopted Chinese as the medium of instruction (CMI). Chan, 19, felt that she lacked... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/education/article/3343539/will-allowing-more-hong-kong-schools-teach-english-be-too-testing-pupils?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/education/article/3343539/will-allowing-more-hong-kong-schools-teach-english-be-too-testing-pupils?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 14 Feb 2026 01:00:17 +0000 Salomé Grouard Salomé Grouard Hong Kong’s education system is famously unforgiving. From cutthroat kindergarten admissions to hours of nightly homework and an average of five hours of private tutoring a week, children face tremendous pressure to perform in the world’s third most competitive economy. In such an environment, arts education rarely makes the cut – often dismissed as a luxury rather than a path to success. “Growing up, I had so many talented friends who gave up on art as they went through school,” says... https://www.scmp.com/special-reports/article/3343401/how-hong-kong-schools-and-artists-offgodtate-are-nurturing-creativity-ai-era?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/special-reports/article/3343401/how-hong-kong-schools-and-artists-offgodtate-are-nurturing-creativity-ai-era?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 13 Feb 2026 07:00:10 +0000 Letters Letters Feel strongly about these letters, or any other aspects of the news? Share your views by emailing us your Letter to the Editor at letters@scmp.com or filling in this Google form. Submissions should not exceed 400 words I appreciate the growing public concern for students’ mental health and I am grateful that lawmakers discussed the issue seriously at the education panel on January 27. I also empathise with the anxiety many parents, educators and policymakers feel and their sincere wish to... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/letters/article/3342620/student-wellbeing-not-problem-easily-solved-ai?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/letters/article/3342620/student-wellbeing-not-problem-easily-solved-ai?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 07 Feb 2026 03:30:09 +0000 Lynn Farah Lynn Farah For Hong Kong’s students, going to university is a defining moment, fraught with a complex calculus of personal passion, parental expectation and the perceived demands of a volatile job market. Yet, as educators and counsellors attest, the most successful path forward is not one of enforced compromise but of a more integrated way of thinking, merging practical experience with intellectual passion and purposeful career planning. From the experiential learning labs of City University of Hong Kong... https://www.scmp.com/special-reports/article/3342081/how-help-hong-kong-students-navigate-their-university-choices-and-career-paths?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/special-reports/article/3342081/how-help-hong-kong-students-navigate-their-university-choices-and-career-paths?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 02 Feb 2026 07:34:13 +0000 William Yiu William Yiu The Education University of Hong Kong (EdU) has launched an artificial intelligence-powered mental health support app for students, with a secondary school principal praising its potential to help teachers track pupils’ emotional well-being. Named EmoCare, the app began a trial run last month, serving about 700 primary, secondary and university students. A key feature turns students’ diary entries into colourful visualisations of their emotions. The app’s large language model analyses the... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/education/article/3341297/ai-mental-health-app-helps-hong-kong-students-accentuate-positive?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/education/article/3341297/ai-mental-health-app-helps-hong-kong-students-accentuate-positive?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 26 Jan 2026 13:58:37 +0000 SCMP Editorial SCMP Editorial New revelations about how widespread AI use is among Hong Kong students must be a wake-up call for the city. While the Education Bureau has been looking into curriculum changes, the research highlights the need for a more comprehensive and centralised approach to AI use in schools. Our Hong Kong Foundation said this month that it found 95 per cent of students use the technology. Nearly one in four admitted they struggle to finish homework without artificial intelligence, according to a survey... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3340988/hong-kong-needs-centralised-ai-curriculum-its-students?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3340988/hong-kong-needs-centralised-ai-curriculum-its-students?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 24 Jan 2026 22:45:08 +0000 Jess Ma,Fiona Sun Jess Ma,Fiona Sun A property landlord has backed down and given tenants of a Hong Kong youth hostel an extra month to find alternative housing, following residents’ complaints about potentially having to return to cramped shoebox homes when the lease expires. Some residents of the BeLIVING Youth Hub in Causeway Bay said on Friday that its operator, the Hong Kong United Youth Association, had called tenants last week to tell them that they had to move out by February 28. “We are all fearful now. We are worried... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3340955/we-are-fearful-hong-kong-youth-hostel-closure-leaves-tenants-scrambling-housing?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3340955/we-are-fearful-hong-kong-youth-hostel-closure-leaves-tenants-scrambling-housing?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 23 Jan 2026 07:25:52 +0000 Letters Letters Feel strongly about these letters, or any other aspects of the news? Share your views by emailing us your Letter to the Editor at letters@scmp.com or filling in this Google form. Submissions should not exceed 400 words Hong Kong’s Mandatory Reporting of Child Abuse Ordinance commenced on Tuesday, imposing a legal duty on 25 categories of specified professionals in social welfare, education and healthcare to report suspected serious child abuse “as soon as practicable”. The policy creates a wide... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/letters/article/3340779/what-hong-kongs-abuse-reporting-law-means-child-facing-professionals?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/letters/article/3340779/what-hong-kongs-abuse-reporting-law-means-child-facing-professionals?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 23 Jan 2026 03:30:08 +0000 Emily Hung Emily Hung Hong Kong professionals mandated to report suspected child abuse cases under a new law taking effect on Tuesday are largely ready, but some have said challenges remain in working with parents from different cultural backgrounds and detecting online crimes targeting youngsters. Under the Mandatory Reporting of Child Abuse Ordinance, more than 100,000 people across 25 professions in the social welfare, education and medical sectors are required to report suspected maltreatment of those aged under... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3340476/hong-kong-professions-ready-new-child-abuse-law-some-challenges-remain?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3340476/hong-kong-professions-ready-new-child-abuse-law-some-challenges-remain?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 20 Jan 2026 00:30:16 +0000 SCMP Editorial SCMP Editorial Owning a home has long been an elusive dream for many young people in Hong Kong, but an alarming new study shows how much harder it now is to climb the housing ladder. Authorities should carefully review the research and redouble efforts to reverse the trend before it does more damage to society. The University of Hong Kong Business School study found the proportion of subsidised homeowners aged 30 to 39 had nearly halved to 16 per cent over the past three decades. The “Hong Kong Economic Policy... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3340375/hong-kong-must-tackle-demoralising-impact-unaffordable-housing?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3340375/hong-kong-must-tackle-demoralising-impact-unaffordable-housing?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 19 Jan 2026 22:45:08 +0000 Oscar Liu,William Yiu Oscar Liu,William Yiu More than half of Hong Kong’s 78 semi-private schools have applied to increase class sizes and student numbers to admit more non-locals as part of the city’s drive to become an international education hub. The Education Bureau said on Monday that it has received an “enthusiastic response” to its earlier invitation to all Direct Subsidy Scheme (DSS) schools to take in more non-local pupils. The initiative, first outlined in Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu’s policy address last year, allows DSS... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/education/article/3340466/40-hong-kong-semi-private-schools-eye-more-non-local-pupils-education-hub-push?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/education/article/3340466/40-hong-kong-semi-private-schools-eye-more-non-local-pupils-education-hub-push?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 19 Jan 2026 13:52:21 +0000 Andrea Lo Andrea Lo Hong Kong has seen a striking rise in the number of students identified with special educational needs (SEN) over the past decade. There are nearly 60,000 SEN primary and secondary students in Hong Kong, more than double the number a decade ago, according to The Social and Emotional Support for SEN Children Adapting to Primary School Survey, a 2023 report by Hong Kong Christian Service. The prevalence of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) alone among Hong Kong children aged six to 17 is now... https://www.scmp.com/special-reports/article/3340362/hong-kong-tackles-sen-technology-set-bigger-role-assessment-intervention?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/special-reports/article/3340362/hong-kong-tackles-sen-technology-set-bigger-role-assessment-intervention?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 19 Jan 2026 02:28:32 +0000 Cindy Sui Cindy Sui How do you get youngsters interested in lessons about saving, budgeting and investing? Definitely not with lectures, said the founders of Talents Foundation, a Hong Kong charity that aims to teach young people how to manage their finances and achieve their career and life goals in a fun way. Founders Arthur Hui Ka-yu and David Wong have developed a curriculum, including a Monopoly-like board game, that teaches primary and secondary school students how to seize opportunities, such as job... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3340284/smart-money-how-hong-kong-charity-makes-finance-lessons-fun-pupils?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3340284/smart-money-how-hong-kong-charity-makes-finance-lessons-fun-pupils?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 18 Jan 2026 05:15:08 +0000 Grenville Cross Grenville Cross The Mandatory Reporting of Child Abuse Ordinance becomes operational in Hong Kong on January 20, and will enhance child protections. It contains a mechanism for the early and effective detection of child abuse cases. It requires particular professionals to report if, during their work, they come to suspect a child has been suffering serious harm, or is at real risk of it. The acts considered serious harm include inflicting physical injury, forcing or enticing a child to participate in a sexual... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/hong-kong-opinion/article/3337361/hong-kongs-new-legislators-must-strengthen-child-protection-laws?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/hong-kong-opinion/article/3337361/hong-kongs-new-legislators-must-strengthen-child-protection-laws?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 25 Dec 2025 01:30:09 +0000 Letters Letters Feel strongly about these letters, or any other aspects of the news? Share your views by emailing us your Letter to the Editor at letters@scmp.com or filling in this Google form. Submissions should not exceed 400 words I refer to the article, “Hong Kong should study social media impact on teens, craft its own policies: experts” (December 11). It was a refreshing thought that excessive screen time poses a significant health concern, particularly among children. Several countries have in recent... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/letters/article/3337410/kick-our-social-media-habit-lets-start-adults?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/letters/article/3337410/kick-our-social-media-habit-lets-start-adults?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 24 Dec 2025 03:30:08 +0000 Jacqueline Kot Jacqueline Kot Imagine a classroom with no walls, where instead, trees provide a natural border of sorts, and air conditioning and lights are replaced by fresh air, breezes and unfiltered sunlight. Where children are free to jump, climb and make a mess – all on a normal weekday at school. Outdoor learning has long been a popular concept in Scandinavia, with children encouraged to develop their critical thinking and learn about nature and biodiversity through play and activities in real-life settings. Some of... https://www.scmp.com/special-reports/article/3336911/hong-kong-forest-schools-are-embracing-risky-play-children-young-2?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/special-reports/article/3336911/hong-kong-forest-schools-are-embracing-risky-play-children-young-2?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 18 Dec 2025 22:00:09 +0000 SCMP Editorial SCMP Editorial The global trend of restricting the use of smartphones by children or limiting their access to social media is gathering momentum. Australia’s groundbreaking ban on children under 16 registering with popular platforms, including Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, Snapchat and YouTube, begins on Wednesday. The move, requiring the closing of more than a million accounts, sets a potential precedent and its implementation will be closely watched around the world. Some countries, such as New Zealand and... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3335783/curbs-childrens-social-media-use-and-screen-time-must-strike-balance?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3335783/curbs-childrens-social-media-use-and-screen-time-must-strike-balance?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 09 Dec 2025 23:15:13 +0000 Sonal Dhanani Sonal Dhanani Hong Kong has been talking more openly about youth mental health than ever before – and with good reason. Student suicides climbed to a decade high of 32 cases in 2023, and there were 28 more last year. The number of students struggling with mental health issues rose 27 per cent between 2023 and 2024. Beyond schools, the city recorded 1,092 suicides in 2023, almost three people a day. Researchers note worrying trends among younger adults, particularly men aged 25-39. The policy response has... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/hong-kong-opinion/article/3335457/why-hong-kongs-youth-must-be-key-part-citys-mental-health-support?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/hong-kong-opinion/article/3335457/why-hong-kongs-youth-must-be-key-part-citys-mental-health-support?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 08 Dec 2025 21:30:10 +0000 Letters Letters Feel strongly about these letters, or any other aspects of the news? Share your views by emailing us your Letter to the Editor at letters@scmp.com or filling in this Google form. Submissions should not exceed 400 words For most of my life – not just my adult life – I have heard Hong Kong described in blunt, unflattering terms: rushed, rude, transactional, emotionally distant. I felt it myself, which was one of the reasons that, though still identifying as a Hongkonger, I chose to spend so many... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/letters/article/3334516/kinder-gentler-hong-kong-emerged-shared-pain?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/letters/article/3334516/kinder-gentler-hong-kong-emerged-shared-pain?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 01 Dec 2025 03:30:09 +0000 Letters Letters Feel strongly about these letters, or any other aspects of the news? Share your views by emailing us your Letter to the Editor at letters@scmp.com or filling in this Google form. Submissions should not exceed 400 words Before I begin, allow me to offer my condolences for the many lives lost and the families affected in the Wang Fuk Court fire. And many thanks to the rescuers and medical staff for their unwavering commitment in the face of this tragedy. This fire shows a clear danger in how... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/letters/article/3334303/hong-kong-fire-must-force-rethink-use-bamboo-scaffolding?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/letters/article/3334303/hong-kong-fire-must-force-rethink-use-bamboo-scaffolding?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 27 Nov 2025 06:30:11 +0000 Letters Letters Feel strongly about these letters, or any other aspects of the news? Share your views by emailing us your Letter to the Editor at letters@scmp.com or filling in this Google form. Submissions should not exceed 400 words Is silence safer than thought? Increasingly, the answer appears to be yes. The controversy surrounding Malaysian scholar Solehah Yaacob’s theory about Roman shipbuilding and Malay seafarers reveals a crisis facing academia globally. What began as scholarly hypothesis became public... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/letters/article/3334024/academic-theories-deserve-rigorous-scrutiny-not-public-shaming?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/letters/article/3334024/academic-theories-deserve-rigorous-scrutiny-not-public-shaming?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 26 Nov 2025 03:30:08 +0000