7 in 10 Malaysian children worry about being bullied

A GLOBAL survey has revealed that bullying is the number one concern for Malaysian children, followed by climate change and poverty.

According to the United Nations Children's Fund (Unicef) survey of 14 nations, 77% of Malaysian children, or seven in 10, are worried about being victims of bullying, compared with three in 10 children in Japan and nearly 4 in 10 in the United Kingdom. 

Other issues topping the list of concerns for Malaysian children are climate change (77%), poverty (74%), education access (74%), terrorism (74%) and poor health (73%), says the comparative survey that polled 11,000 boys and girls aged between nine and 18 years. 

Unicef representative to Malaysia, Marianne Clark-Hattingh said the authorities should view bullying seriously if more than three quarters of children were worried about being bullied.

"The comparative findings of the global survey highlight issues of particular concern to Malaysian children compared to others, bullying for example, and this should be taken seriously and addressed," she said in the report.

In June, 18-year-old student T. Nhaveen died of injuries sustained after he was physically and sexually abused by a group of boys who had had a history of bullying him in school.

Less than two weeks before his death, navy cadet officer Zulfarhan Osman Zulkarnain died after he was allegedly tortured and beaten by a group of fellow students who had accused him of stealing a laptop.

Psychologist Dr Mariani Mohamad Nor had told The Malaysian Insight that stress and inability to cope with modern society's expectations were some of the factors leading to a rise in bullying in the country.

The Unicef survey, which was conducted online, also reveals that 54% children in Malaysia feel they are not being heard or that their views are not helping to bring about change, compared with 51% in Japan, 61% in the US, and 71% in the UK.

"Unfortunately, over half feel that even when they are asked for their opinion, they are not really listened to or their voice does not influence change. 

"As adults we should listen, we should consult children about issues that affect them and take their opinion into account. Although we may think we do, we don't always know what is best for them," said Clark-Hattingh.

More than half (53%) of the children in Malaysia also express mistrust of adults and world leaders making decisions on their behalf, compared with 68% in the UK, 59% in the US, and 81% in Brazil.

A high 95% of children in Malaysia believe the world will be a better place if the leaders will listen to children. 

"This percentage is higher than in any other surveyed country (89% in the US; 85% in the UK; 77% in Japan), except South Africa (97%)," said the survey.

Malaysian children listed violence against children (64%) and terrorism (60%) as their top two global concerns.

"The survey clearly demonstrates that children in Malaysia take an interest in global issues and are concerned about their impact on their lives and their peers'. They also have opinions about issues affecting them closer to home," said Clark-Hattingh. 

The survey found former US president Barack Obama and former Malaysian prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad to be the two most popular figures among Malaysian children.

"Barack Obama is the number one choice Malaysian children would invite to their birthday (celebration), followed by Dr Mahathir Mohamed," the report said.

Third place is shared by football star Cristiano Ronaldo, pop stars Taylor Swift, Justin Bieber, and Siti Nurhaliza, and Chinese billionaire and Alibaba founder, Jack Ma.

Malaysian children also top the charts in smartphone usage at 80%, compared with their counterparts in the US (74%), UK (73%) and Japan (63%), and spend equal time on social media (59%) and homework (59%).

The survey aims to establish a baseline of children's awareness of issues affecting them around the world. – November 20, 2017.

Let's block ads! (Why?)