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Youth

Hong Kong Social Workers Warn of Internet Cafe Risks for Teens

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

A recent survey by the Boys' and Girls' Clubs Association of Hong Kong found that teenagers who regularly visit internet cafes are four times more likely to have tried drugs compared to those who do not. The study, conducted between February and December 2009, polled 1,215 pupils in Form One to Form Three and discovered that 28 pupils had taken drugs, with 18 of them frequenting internet cafes. While many pupils visit these cafes to play online games, their older peers who take drugs or triad members often use these venues, posing a risk to the younger generation.

Key Takeaways:

  • The survey found that 28 out of 1,215 pupils (2.3%) had taken drugs, with 18 of them being regular internet cafe visitors.
  • Teenagers who regularly visit internet cafes are four times more likely to have tried drugs compared to those who do not.
  • The majority of respondents (231) who surf the Web between 11pm and 8am have taken drugs, accounting for 75% of the total number of drug users.
  • The study suggests that parents often do not realize the risks associated with internet cafes, as they may give their children money to visit but are unaware of the potential influence of triad members or older peers who take drugs.
  • Pupils in lower forms often visit internet cafes to play online games, but it is their older peers who use the venues for substance use.

Statistics:

  • 1,215 pupils were surveyed in total.
  • 28 pupils reported having taken drugs, which is 2.3% of the sample.
  • 18 of the 28 pupils who had taken drugs were regular internet cafe visitors.
  • 231 respondents surf the Web between 11pm and 8am, with 21 of them having taken drugs (accounting for 75% of the total number of drug users).

Sources:

  • " 28 pupils reported having taken drugs, which is 2.3% of the sample."

Boys' and Girls' Clubs Association of Hong Kong survey, 2009

  • " The majority of respondents (231) who surf the Web between 11pm and 8am have taken drugs, accounting for 75% of the total number of drug users."

Boys' and Girls' Clubs Association of Hong Kong survey, 2009

  • "Pupils in lower forms often visit internet cafes to play online games, but it is their older peers who use the venues for substance use."

Social worker Stanley Ho Chun-yu

Boys' and Girls' Clubs Association of Hong Kong, 2009

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