Your Voice: Stop rewarding influencers’ dangerous eating habits; society must protect its youth (letters)

People these days often excuse the unhealthy habits of influencers who eat too much or too little food, to the point where it greatly exceeds or falls behind someone’s needs.

Nikocado Avocado, a famous YouTuber known for his extreme eating, is an example of this. In his videos, he consumes a worryingly large amount of food, and he has even openly talked about how his binge eating has caused his health to decline.

It is baffling to me why people would support this behaviour by liking, commenting or watching their videos. It leads to a toxic cycle where influencers continue posting this dangerous content because it helps them get views.

On the other hand, some influencers impose incredibly restrictive diets just to fit certain beauty standards. While it may be impossible for viewers to know exactly what is happening when the cameras stop rolling, it scares me to see potentially self-destructive behaviour being cheered on by fans.

What we need right now is to encourage people to focus more on health than on social media likes and unrealistic beauty standards.

Face Off: Does social media make teenagers feel less confident about their body image?

Zara Haider, King George V School

Hong Kong has long been considered a safe city. However, recent increases in fraud and violent crime have negatively affected many residents.

According to Secretary for Security Christ Tang, the overall crime rate in the first quarter of this year rose by about 50 per cent compared to the same period last year. There have also been several high-profile murder and assault cases that have shocked the public.

We must consider how this affects youth. Those who experience anxiety or paranoia may worry that they could be the next target, while others with mental health issues might feel stigmatised when society blames their mental disorders for these attacks.

Hong Kong youth have faced several emotionally and physically taxing events, from the city’s 2019 protests to the Covid-19 pandemic. This demographic has experienced a high level of disruption to their daily lives.

Coupled with the city’s high-stakes academic environment – in which studies have found that almost half of secondary school students show signs of depression – declining mental health is a serious issue. Adding a wave of crime creates an additional stressor that young people must live with.

One of society’s functions should be to protect and nurture its young by providing them with the freedom, opportunity and security to come into their own. When these rights are challenged, youth become disenfranchised. The promise of protection is broken, which can break the spirit of young people. This pattern of declining mental health is linked to the societal landscape.

The government must provide more support so that its people can stop living in fear. Physical safety is necessary, but we should not neglect emotional well-being. When we witness violence and hardship, we must bolster our communities – our sense of unity and togetherness. We find true strength when we develop empathy and when we can be honest about our experiences.

Mental health experts explain what to do if the news has you feeling scared

Rhea Saxena, King George V School

On June 27, Scottish singer-songwriter Lewis Capaldi announced on social media that he was taking a break from touring “for the foreseeable future”. He shared that he needed time to adjust to living with Tourette syndrome.

Lewis Capaldi’s fan base, affectionately known as the “big fat sexy jungle cats”, has been supportive of him as he navigates his mental health and pursues his aspirations for the future.

It’s important to remember that celebrities are human beings too, and they need time to rest and recharge just like everyone else. In the modern world, artists are often under intense scrutiny. Thus, taking a break from it all to focus on health should be encouraged and not criticised. Many other famous artists have taken breaks from touring in the past. However, this has not stopped them from creating new music and updating fans about their lives.

Although Capaldi’s fans were disappointed by the news of the tour cancellation, they flooded his comment box on Instagram with messages of love and support. From what we can see, this is not the end of Capaldi’s career.

Valerie Chiu, St Mary’s Canossian College

Studying abroad offers an opportunity to experience a different culture, learn about diverse customs, and enhance communication skills. It also promotes independence and adaptability. However, the challenges of studying abroad, such as homesickness and culture shock, can be very overwhelming for teens. Therefore, at this point, I prefer the “safest” option, which is to study at a local university.

I believe familiarity with the educational system is crucial for effective learning. Additionally, I can stay with friends and family if I study locally, ensuring that I won’t be lonely. University life is different from secondary school education, and I fear that these problems might cause me to struggle. Therefore, it is essential to consider your flexibility and communication skills before making a decision.

Studying at a local university can still broaden my horizons. I can meet new people from Hong Kong or other countries, and I can continue exploring my own culture, which I am not entirely familiar with.

As a junior form secondary school student, I should focus on improving myself and seeking more learning opportunities.