16/10/2025

THURSDAY | OCT 16, 2025

3 Culture of violence spreading among youth online

Call for stronger child protection systems:Unicef PETALING JAYA: Unicef Malaysia has sounded the alarm over a worrying surge in school violence, from sexual assaults to brutal beatings with some ending in tragedy. Unicef Malaysia representative Robert Gass said no child should ever feel unsafe, least of all in a classroom and urged tougher action to stamp out violence, protect victims and make schools the safe havens they’re meant to be. “We commend the swift response of the Malaysian authorities and the support extended to victims, survivors and their families. “No child should ever feel unsafe, particularly in a place of learning.” He stressed that prevention must be at the heart of all efforts, calling for comprehensive violence-prevention programmes, stronger support for parents and caregivers, and effective reporting and response mechanisms to protect children at home, in school and online. Gass also warned against sharing videos, images or personal details of children on social media, saying such acts risk deepening trauma and violating children’s rights to privacy and protection. “The mental health and psychosocial wellbeing of survivors, families, peers and educators must be prioritised. Safety and confidentiality during investigations, as well as responsible reporting are essential.” Unicef further highlighted that girls are disproportionately affected by violence, noting that nearly one in three women and girls globally experience physical or sexual violence in their lifetime – often driven by harmful gender and social norms that normalise abuse and silence survivors. “Such violence inflicts devastating and long-lasting harm on children’s physical and mental wellbeing and erodes trust in the institutions meant to protect them.” Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia deputy director of the Institute of Inclusive Development and Advancement Dr Anuar Ahmad said the nation’s education system is facing a critical moment. “We have to admit that our education system is in distress – this is no longer about minor misbehaviour such as noisy classrooms or unfinished homework. We are now dealing with bullying, sexual assault and even murder. These are serious crimes taking place in schools.” Anuar said parents are increasingly anxious about their children’s safety, while many students fear going to school. He urged the government to take immediate and long-term steps to restore public confidence in the education system. Among the short-term measures, he suggested: 0 Installing CCTV cameras in all schools; 0 Identifying at-risk parents and students for professional counselling sessions; and 0 Conducting safety audits in every school. For the long term, he proposed: 0 Empowering greater parental involvement in schools; 0 Prioritising safety, health and character education from primary level; 0 Ensuring at least one certified counsellor for every 250 students; and 0 Enforcing disciplinary action against education officials who conceal cases of misconduct. “When misconduct becomes extraordinary, the solutions must also be extraordinary,” Anuar stressed. – By KIRTINEE RAMESH

Ű BY QIRANA NABILLA MOHD RASHIDI AND KIRTINEE RAMESH newsdesk@thesundaily.com

o Experts warn exposure to aggressive content and digital trends is eroding empathy, normalising dominance and fuelling real-world harm

development from an early age. “Parents must work hard to stay engaged with their children’s lives and continue to help them manage emotions, challenges and life transitions, even though teenagers often withdraw during this stage of life.” He also called for stronger communication and trust between students, teachers and parents within schools, especially on issues of child safety and protection. “Policies on child protection must not only be adopted but effectively implemented to ensure our schools remain safe and supportive spaces for all children.” Anderson further warned of the growing influence of social media and online gaming on youth behaviour, urging parents to remain vigilant and involved in their children’s digital lives. He said while the extent of social media and gaming influences in this recent incident is not yet clear, parents must be cautious when granting access to devices, online games and social platforms. “The internet contains vast amounts of unregulated and harmful content that can shape young minds in negative ways. “Without consistent, caring guidance and strong moral support, young people risk becoming isolated and vulnerable to negative influences during the critical years of development.”

PETALING JAYA: Violence has gone viral and is leaving its mark on Malaysian youth. The glamourisation of aggression across digital platforms has blurred the line between entertainment and real-life brutality. Experts say the recent stabbing at a school in Bandar Utama, Damansara 4 is an extreme but telling symptom of a culture where bullying, dominance and rage are no longer shunned but being liked, shared and celebrated. Universiti Teknologi Mara Social and Policy Studies lecturer Prof Dr Yarina Ahmad said entertainment now glorifies power and gangsterism, leading youths to believe respect comes from belonging to powerful or violent groups. “The influence of Western and international media further complicates this. Youths are increasingly shaped by what they watch, from Korean dramas with violent plots to Western films such as the Fast and Furious film series which glorify speed, aggression and power. “These portrayals often associate masculinity with dominance, thrill seeking and even sexual desirability, sending a harmful message that strength and status come from Quiet return to school after fatal stabbing PETALING JAYA: Classes resumed at SMK Bandar Utama Damansara 4 yesterday morning, one day after a 16-year-old student was fatally stabbed on the school grounds — an incident that has left the whole nation reeling in grief and disbelief. The usually lively compound was noticeably subdued with fewer than a hundred students seen entering by 7am. Teachers greeted them at the entrance with faint smiles while a bouquet of white flowers seen placed at the school gate served as a quiet gesture of remembrance. A parent, who wished to be known only as Amin, said the tragedy had deeply shaken parents and students alike. “The school didn’t tell anyone to stay home, so classes went on as normal,” he said. “My son wasn’t in the same class as the boy but as a parent, of course I’m scared. Anything could happen.” He said his son had been sitting for an exam when the incident occurred. “He told me he heard someone scream, then looked out and saw what had happened. He was just Ű BY KIRTINEE RAMESH newsdesk@thesundaily.com

reckless or violent behaviour,” she said, adding that constant exposure to online violence has eroded empathy, as seen in the boy’s apparent lack of compassion or awareness of the consequences of his actions. Yarina also noted that research has shown a strong link between media consumption and behavioural imitation among adolescents. She said studies, including one conducted by her student, found that addiction to violent entertainment – whether on television, YouTube or social media – significantly increases aggressive tendencies and the intention to act violently. “This doesn’t always lead to extreme acts like murder, but it manifests in aggression through speech, behaviour and social interactions. “This case shows how technology and media are changing the way people interact today. As technology advances, it is slowly replacing traditional values.” She stressed that heavy reliance

on technology is unhealthy because it weakens critical thinking and empathy, as people begin letting algorithms think for them instead of reflecting on their actions. Suka Society (Persatuan Kebajikan Suara Kanak-Kanak Malaysia) executive director Anderson Selvasegaram said all parties – from parents to educators and the wider community – must take collective responsibility to ensure such tragedies in schools never happen again. He said the recent spate of disturbing events in schools should serve as a wake-up call for everyone to reflect on how children are guided, nurtured and protected. “All efforts must be made to prevent a repeat of such incidents in our schools. Over the past few weeks, we have witnessed several deeply troubling events that must never be allowed to happen again,” he said. Anderson stressed that responsibility for prevention begins at home, with parents playing a central role in shaping their children’s emotional and moral

Security presence at the school yesterday as the community grapples with the tragedy that claimed a student’s life. – ADIB RAWI YAHYA/THESUN

about to hand in his paper,” Amin recalled. “Now the exams have been postponed. His mother kept asking this morning if he really wanted to go to school, and he said he would go.” A Form Five student said he returned to school today “just to be present”. “We all knew her by face even if not close. It’s really sad — it happened in our own school,” he

said. He added that the Form Five graduation ceremony, scheduled to take place soon has been postponed. “What should have been a happy farewell has turned into one of sorrow and disbelief. I’m still in shock. It feels unreal that something so tragic could happen within the walls of our own school.” A video that circulated online after the incident showed a terrified

student who claimed the suspect had entered her classroom earlier when no teacher was present, leaving her shaken. The fatal attack took place on Tuesday when a 16-year-old Form Three student was allegedly stabbed to death by a 14-year-old Form One student inside the school compound at 9.30am. Police later arrested the suspect, who was reportedly armed with a knife.