Kuala lumpur: 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.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Lee emphasized that the problem extends beyond mere disciplinary issues, reflecting a breakdown of character and noble values influenced by harmful digital content. He proposed integrating Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) into the core curriculum, as practiced in Denmark, to build resilience and respect among students through consistent, mandatory instruction in empathy, conflict resolution, and emotional literacy.

The second approach focuses on advancing beyond basic ICT education to instill critical, ethical, and responsible online behavior in children and parents. This includes teaching them to evaluate content, understand the consequences of their digital actions, and recognize online aggression.

Lee's third recommendation is centered on empowering parents through mandatory and accessible digital parenting programs. He stressed that the burden of responsibility should not rest solely on teachers; parents must be active participants in modeling healthy values and fostering real-world connections that digital platforms cannot replace.

He concluded by stating that while laws and regulations could mitigate technology-related risks, enduring safety for children could only be achieved by cultivating strong values. Lee urged the government and all stakeholders to implement these comprehensive measures to ensure a future for children characterized by connection, empathy, and respect, rather than violence and digital isolation.