LEE LAM THYE PROPOSES THREE NATIONAL APPROACHES TO CURB YOUTH VIOLENCE

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 14 (Bernama) -- Alliance for a Safe Community chairman Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye has proposed three national approaches to address youth violence, stressing the need for education reform, responsible digital citizenship and stronger parental involvement.

He said the fatal stabbing of a female student inside a school in Bandar Utama in October, along with rising cases of school bullying, showed the issue was a deep-seated crisis that could no longer be ignored.

“This is more than a disciplinary problem; it is a breakdown of character and noble values, and a harmful ‘digital influence’,” he said in a statement today.

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Lee said the first approach involved integrating Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) into core curriculum, as practised in Denmark.

“Every student needs consistent, mandatory instruction in empathy, conflict resolution, and emotional literacy to build resilience and respect,” he said.

The second approach, he said, was to move beyond basic ICT to teach children and parents to be critical, ethical, and responsible online citizens.

“This includes teaching them to evaluate content, understand the consequences of their digital actions, and recognise online aggression,” he said.

Lee said the third pillar focused on empowering parents through mandatory and accessible digital parenting programmes.

“The responsibility cannot solely fall on teachers; parents must be present, model healthy values, and actively foster real-world connections that digital platforms cannot replace,” he said.

He added that while laws and regulations could address technology-related risks, lasting safety could only be achieved by cultivating strong values.

“We urge the government and all stakeholders to act decisively to implement these comprehensive measures, ensuring a future for our children that is defined by connection, empathy, and respect, not violence and digital isolation,” he said.

-- BERNAMA