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Social media ban concerns
Rachel Wong Ching-yin, St Paul’s Secondary School
I am writing to share my thoughts on Australia’s recent decision to ban social media usage for children under 16. At first glance, this ban seems like a promising solution for teenagers who are struggling with cyberbullying, as well as concerns about the addictive nature of social media algorithms and exposure to inappropriate content. However, I am sceptical that it will effectively protect young users.
Many teenagers are able to bypass age-verification systems by using their parents’ photos or by providing false birth dates.
Furthermore, installing a virtual private network (VPN) enables users to conceal their location, thus avoiding regional restrictions.
Restricting access to popular platforms often pushes teenagers towards lesser-known apps such as Discord, Lemon8 and Yope, where harmful content can spread unchecked. It seems that when one “digital door” closes, another “window” opens. Unfortunately, these alternative platforms often lack the moderation policies of larger sites.
Rather than creating a digital iron curtain, it would be more effective for social media companies to actively remove harmful content and incorporate safety features into the core design of their platforms. This strategy would foster a safer environment not only for teenagers but for all users.
In addition to technological solutions, I firmly believe in the importance of incorporating comprehensive digital literacy education into school curricula. This type of education equips teenagers with essential skills to identify harmful content, protect their personal information and effectively address cyberbullying. From my own experience as a teenager in Hong Kong, I have witnessed how digital literacy empowers young people to confidently and responsibly navigate online challenges.
Investing in education provides a sustainable, long-term strategy that is more effective than relying solely on legal prohibitions. Social media has become an integral part of modern adolescence.
Observing Australia’s bold experiment from a distance, I believe there are valuable lessons to be learned from both its successes and its challenges. Protecting teenagers online is not just about building higher barriers; it’s about creating a safer digital environment for everyone. This can be achieved through the thoughtful redesign of algorithms to reduce the spread of harmful content and through education that empowers youth to build digital resilience.
Quotients of life
Hailey Wu Hei-yee, St Antonius Girls’ College
Even weeks after our recording session on February 10, I still vividly recall the mix of excitement, dread and nervousness I felt. It all began when my friend Ivana and I, along with two classmates, Coffee and Evelyn, signed up for a radio programme.
Once our application was accepted, we spent weeks researching our assigned topic: “IQ vs EQ,
AQ and SQ.” Coffee and Evelyn decided to focus on the emotional quotient (EQ), while Ivana argued that the intelligence quotient (IQ) was the foundation of all human capability. AQ is the adversity quotient, and SQ is the spiritual quotient. I chose a middle ground, exploring how these quotients are interconnected and why a balance among all four is essential.
When we arrived at RTHK to meet our host, Cruzey, we were surprised by the studio. It had a distinct smell of paper and chlorine, and although the building appeared small from the street, inside it was a labyrinth of hidden corridors and rooms.
During the broadcast, our varied perspectives were highlighted. Evelyn explained that EQ is the ability to manage emotions positively. She admitted that she didn’t believe her own EQ was very high, but she recounted a time when she supported a grieving friend, which proved otherwise.
By simply listening and being present, she realised that empathy and a caring presence are often the most effective tools for healing.
Coffee supported his claims with statistics, explaining how EQ drives interpersonal success, resilience and happiness. EQ is flexible and can be developed at any stage of life. It serves as the social glue that transforms technical competence into a genuine human connection.
When the focus shifted to IQ, Ivana discussed its importance in logic and reasoning. To strengthen her argument, she introduced deontology, which emphasises rule-based ethical behaviour over the outcomes of actions. She also presented her own concept, which she called “organ theory”. She compared IQ to the brain or heart, while other quotients represented organs like the liver or kidneys.
“You can live without a kidney, even if you struggle,” she explained. “But without the brain or heart, you cannot function at all.” For Ivana, rationality is the foundation of existence.
Since AQ and SQ were not included in the main discussion, I took the time to define them for the audience. AQ refers to our ability to handle setbacks and to turn obstacles into opportunities.
SQ is not about religion; it represents our capacity for meaning, vision and values. It is the motivation that enables us to dream, strive, and align our daily actions with our deepest beliefs. Ultimately, what made this experience memorable wasn’t just fulfilling a learning experience requirement or hearing our voices on the air. It was the joy of the process: the hours spent brainstorming, the insights we gained about each other and the excitement of stepping in front of a professional microphone.
So in the journey of life, which do you think matters most – IQ, EQ, AQ or SQ?
