2.
monitor this trade in a reasonable manner so as to prevent film operators from selling ideas of obscenity and violence to young people who are not yet mature, I think, will be most welcomed by everyone who cares for youth development. Being a youth worker myself, I fully support the spirit of the Bill and the
aforesaid recommendations.
viewing obscene and
However, in our attempt to prevent young people from
violent films in cinemas, we must also
consider how to help those young people who have got into the
theal bad habit of viewing films. At present, the idea that the
authorities concerned have in mind is to issue a letter of
warning to inform the parents of the underage viewers if they
are found viewing films not approved for exhibition to persons
below the age of 18 by a public officer. I think this is the
most sensible and logical thing to do. It is a sensible course of action because parents are the young people's next-of-kin
and it is necessary for them
them to know how their children behave
outside the family. It is also logical because parents ought
to provide their children with proper discipline. Το inform them of their children's behaviour is a way to enable young
people to get the necessary help from their parents.
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However, we must also realize that in Hong Kong
today, efforts made by parents alone are not sufficient to enhance the healthy growth of the young people they also need
help from outside
outside their families. In this respect, there are
at least the school social workers who pay close attention and
give guidance to
guidance to the young
the young people at school. We should give due weight to their work for our young people. Therefore, I think that if young students are found viewing category III films in cinemas, apart from their parents, the school social
workers of their schools should also be informed. The aim is
to ensure that these young people can be given full assistance in getting rid of the bad habit of viewing obscene and violent