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Happier online environment
Tako Chan, GCC & ITKD Lau Pak Lok Secondary School
In today’s world, you see countless people on their phones texting, gaming, scrolling through reels or just socialising online.
While entertainment is important, we should prioritise digital well-being and champion constructive online communication while calling out misinformation and eliminating cyberbullying.
The internet is a great place to connect and learn, but it can also be a breeding ground for negativity. Toxic comments can lead to deep hurt, and sensational articles about non-existent drama can spread misinformation like wildfire.
To combat this, we can teach others how to detect fake news and deepfakes using simple quality-of-life tools, like artificial intelligence detection platforms. Imagine a group with the coordination and passion of a K-pop fan base, but instead of trending a hashtag for an idol, it’s about de-escalating arguments in comment sections.
Communities like these can flood comment sections with positivity. Transforming the internet from a battleground into a public square is the goal. We all want to share our interests without the fear of online backlash, whether posting a meme or simply sharing our thoughts about a game.
Education and AI
Orca Fung Chun-yiu, Ma On Shan Tsung Tsin Secondary School
Since OpenAI launched its latest chatbot, the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence has become a popular discussion topic. Given AI’s impressive ability to generate essays and other forms of writing, we must ask if essay writing should still be considered a compulsory part of education.
I firmly believe that AI should not replace the human element of essay writing. Although AI’s massive databases contain trillions of data points and can generate a full essay within seconds, the resulting work lacks the most crucial factor: critical thinking.
A quality essay should be the product of a writer who can analyse information quickly, provide supported statements and fact-check critically.
AI simply draws information from its database without the capacity for genuine critical thought. If we abandon teaching students about essay writing and delegate this task to AI, younger generations may lose their ability to think critically.
They may develop a dangerous dependence on trusting everything presented in the AI database. To avoid this intellectual decline, AI writing tools must not replace essay writing education.
Protect yourself from scams
Tam Ka-wan, Pui Kiu College
In an increasingly digital world, the risk of falling victim to scams has escalated. These deceptive practices can lead to significant financial loss and emotional distress.
Always be cautious when you receive unsolicited communication. Whether it’s a phone call, email or message, if something seems too good to be true, it probably is. Verify the source before taking action, especially when it involves sharing personal information or making payments.
Secondly, educate yourself about common scams. Familiarise yourself with tactics used by scammers, such as phishing emails, fake websites and lottery scams. Knowing the signs can help you recognise a scam before it’s too late.
Use security measures such as two-factor authentication and strong passwords for your online accounts. Monitoring your bank statements and credit reports can help detect any unusual activity.
Lastly, if you suspect something is a scam, report it to the authorities. This can protect others from falling victim to the same scheme. By staying informed and cautious, we can safeguard ourselves and create a more secure community.
Importance of sleep
Louise Chan Ying-hei, Pope Paul VI College
Experts suggest that students sleep at least eight hours every night. As a secondary student, I can say that we rarely do.
Students often sacrifice their sleep to pull an all-nighter or catch up on personal matters. We also opt for polyphasic sleep instead of deep sleep. For adolescents, sleep is not the priority.
We overlook the fact that adequate sleep is indispensable. Sleep helps our bodies recover and feel more rejuvenated, whereas sleep deprivation not only weakens our immune system but can also lead to brain fog.
Numerous studies have found that the longer people sleep, the more they can remember. When the brain gets enough rest, it is full of energy and functions better in daylight.
Cultivating good sleep habits can actually strengthen your memory, which is obviously beneficial for students, as it helps them retain the knowledge they learn in school.
There is also a strong connection between sleep quality and stress. It’s a vicious cycle; the more stressed you get, the less you sleep, and the less you sleep, the more stressed you get.
