The real threat of social media to teenagers is not simply excessive screen time, but rather that the algorithmic mechanisms centered on the "attention economy" are quietly causing a systemic collapse in the mental health of the next generation.
Recently, I participated in the "Legislation and Guidance: Seminar on Boundaries and Literacy of Children and Youth's Use of Social Media," co-organized by the New Youth Forum, the Hong Kong Parents' Association, and the Hong Kong Elite Association. Together with legislators Yau Tat-Ken, Tang Fei, Leung Sze-Wan, and Principal Chan Lui Ling-Yee, we examined this global battle over digital governance. This event received extensive coverage from the South China Morning Post and Phoenix TV; and in an interview with RTHK, I clearly stated that while promoting regulation, Hong Kong's freedom of information and competitiveness are core assets that cannot be compromised.
Many Western countries tend to adopt a blanket legal ban on those under 16. However, overseas experience shows that a rigid cutoff not only fails to prevent teenagers from circumventing this by using VPNs or borrowing their parents' accounts, but mandatory age verification also triggers a serious data privacy crisis, undermining the certainty of Hong Kong's system. The real solution lies in regulating the underlying design of algorithms from the source. We must force platforms to disable addictive features targeting minors, such as limiting unlimited scrolling, late-night push notifications, and personalized advertising.
At the same time, we need to systematically integrate scientific research literacy into the education system and provide clear policy guidance for parents and schools to help young people rebuild genuine social connections. Achieving a precise balance between safeguarding the well-being of young people and maintaining an open information hub is the strategic way forward for Hong Kong's digital policy towards long-term stability and prosperity.
