17/10/2025

FRIDAY | OCT 17, 2025

3 ‘Rise in school violence shows growing psychological crisis’

Education Ministry implements safety reform measures KUALA LUMPUR: Mental health, a strict ban on dangerous and prohibited substances, and three other key components form part of immediate education reforms aimed at ensuring schools are safer for all, said Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek. She added that the other focus areas include reproductive and social health education, the Child Protection Policy (CPP), and enhanced guidance and support for teachers. She also said all state Education Departments and district Education Offices have been directed to implement the reforms across 10,243 schools nationwide, with progress to be monitored and evaluated every 15 days. “In terms of mental health, strengthening and intervention efforts would be prioritised, including enhancing the support ecosystem for counsellors, teachers and students.” Fadhlina was responding to a question from Salamiah Mohd Nor (PN–Temerloh) during the Minister’s Question Time in the Dewan Rakyat yesterday on measures being taken to prevent a recurrence of tragic incidents such as the recent classroom rape case. She said periodic and surprise inspections involving schools and government agencies are being conducted to ensure no prohibited or dangerous substances enter school premises. She added that reproductive and social health education focuses on addressing sexual violence against children through awareness programmes and targeted interventions. “The CPP involves all stakeholders to strengthen awareness and accountability for student safety, while the teacher care and support component enhances psychosocial support systems for educators,” she said. The Education Ministry would also emphasise the student voice approach to gather students’ views and aspirations in ensuring safety within schools, she said. Fadhlina added that character education would serve as the foundation of the 2027 school curriculum, which would begin next year at the preschool level to strengthen pupils’ personal development and moral character. Responding to a supplementary question from Howard Lee (PH–Ipoh Timur) on whether the ministry intends to conduct physical safety audits on all its assets, she said the process is underway. – Bernama

Ű BY KIRTINEE RAMESH newsdesk@thesundaily.com

young people feel unseen or dehumanised, their ability to empathise weakens, creating space for anger and aggression to grow. Environmental factors also play a significant role. She warned that easy access to violent or extremist content online has made aggression seem more acceptable or even glorified. “When violence or revenge is repeatedly shown online, and even praised by peers, it could start to feel normal or justified. “Many adolescents spend hours watching or playing violent material, which could dull their sensitivity to real suffering.” However, she emphasised that not all children are affected in the same way. Those who have family support, emotional awareness and open communication are more likely to recognise that what they see online is not acceptable in real life. She said to prevent youth violence, early intervention in schools is critical. “Every school should have access to a trained psychologist or counsellor who could identify students showing early signs of distress, aggression or emotional difficulties. “Regular mental health screenings, wellbeing programmes and teacher training are essential to ensure potential warning signs are not missed. “Building a supportive school culture in which students feel heard, connected and cared for is the most effective way to prevent future acts of violence.” Noor Aishah said violence among youth rarely happens overnight. Instead, it grows when emotional pain, isolation and lack of support go unnoticed. Her message to parents, teachers and communities is simple yet powerful. “Listen early, connect deeply and respond with care. “Every child who feels seen and supported is one step further from choosing violence as a solution.” among adolescents. Algorithms prioritise engagement, so content that provokes strong reactions spreads fastest, reinforcing harmful behaviour online and offline.” Hamizah said neuroscience research reveals that chronic exposure to violent media could disrupt brain regions responsible for emotion regulation and decision-making, leading to increased impulsivity. “Violence is becoming increasingly normal and even glamourised on social media and online entertainment. Violent videos spread quickly, making aggressive behaviour seem ordinary, while movies, music videos and even some pornography link violence to power and status. “This trend is shaping a generation more tolerant of aggression and desensitised to harm.”

o Teens may be capable of sophisticated planning but struggle to regulate emotions and control impulses: Clinical specialist

PETALING JAYA: Malaysia’s growing wave of school violence is not just a law enforcement issue, but also a psychological crisis in the making, fuelled by a generation struggling to navigate an overstimulated, hyperconnected world that is overwhelming their emotional growth, warned psychological services provider CPC International managing director and child clinical psychologist Dr Noor Aishah Rosli. She said today’s adolescents are developing in a different social and sensory environment that deeply shapes how they think, feel and respond to conflict or distress. “While most adolescents understand the difference between right and wrong, their ability to manage emotions and impulses is still developing. This makes them more prone to acting out in moments of stress or anger.

“In the heat of the moment, emotions often override logic, so even if they understand the risks, they may act impulsively without realising the long-term impact.” She said several interconnected factors increase the risk of extreme behaviour, adding that one key issue lies in neurodevelopment as the prefrontal cortex, which governs decision-making, impulse control and planning, continues to mature well into the mid-20s. “As a result, teenagers may be capable of sophisticated planning but still struggle to regulate their emotions and control impulses. “Adolescence is a period of intense identity formation. Feelings

of rejection, shame or confusion about one’s identity could easily become overwhelming, especially when combined with poor coping skills or limited emotional support.” She added that untreated mental health conditions, such as depression, conduct disorders, trauma, psychosis or severe ADHD, could further increase vulnerability. “Many young people never receive the professional care they need, leaving their distress to fester unchecked. “Prolonged social isolation, bullying and feelings of exclusion could also breed resentment and a sense of moral disengagement.” Noor Aishah added that when

Noor Aishah said prolonged social isolation, bullying and feelings of exclusion could breed resentment and a sense of moral disengagement. – AMIRUL SYAFIQ/THESUN

Blurred virtual-reality lines may fuel youth aggression, says expert

Ű BY QIRANA NABILLA MOHD RASHIDI newsdesk@thesundaily.com

Citing a case at a school in Selangor, she said: “Police have confirmed that ‘emotional factors and social media influence’ may have contributed to a 14-year-old suspect’s actions and the note he left behind saying ‘ Dunia ni palsu. Saya sudah menang ’ (The world is fake. I have won).” “Such language reflects digital narratives that glorify despair, revenge or ‘winning’ through destruction. While social media is not the sole cause, it could act as an accelerant, magnifying loneliness, heartbreak and anger until they erupt offline,” she said. She urged a combination of digital literacy and emotional resilience education to help young people pause, reflect and seek help before acting impulsively. Hamizah said most young people

can tell the difference between movie violence and real-life harm, but that ability is not equal across the board. “Studies show teens often dismiss violent scenes in cartoons or fantasy films as exaggerated and unrealistic, but they react more strongly to violence portrayed in realistic settings, such as dramas or news clips. “Those with higher empathy and media literacy are better at recognising the real-world consequences of violence, yet not all youths have these protective skills, and empathy alone does not fully shield them from its influence. “Repeated exposure could dull emotional responses and increase identification with violent characters, especially among those who have witnessed real-life aggression,” she said, adding that younger adolescents

are particularly at risk as their cognitive and emotional maturity are still developing, making it harder to separate fiction from reality. Hamizah said algorithms on TikTok, YouTube and Instagram shape how young people perceive aggression and revenge. “They feed users more of the same attention-grabbing content, creating a cycle that normalises hostile behaviour,” she said, adding that research shows such algorithms often fail to protect minors, exposing vulnerable teens to up to 30% more problematic and 70% more distressing content than their peers, including revenge-themed and violent material. “Repeated exposure to violent media could shape real-world attitudes, increasing aggression

PETALING JAYA: A generation raised on screens and scrolling through emotion is increasingly struggling to distinguish between online fantasy and real-world consequences, a distortion that may be fuelling youth aggression, said Universiti Teknologi Mara Communication and Media Studies Faculty senior lecturer Dr Hamizah Sahharon. She said social media plays a powerful role in shaping how young people process conflict, rejection and distress, adding that algorithm-driven feeds amplify sensational and emotionally charged content that heightens impulsivity and blurs the line between expression and action.