Lawmaker warns students engaging in illegal activities during summer break

Lawmaker Lam Lon Wai has expressed concerns that students take advantage of the school summer break to engage in illegal activities, including cross-border contraband.

Lam’s concerns were raised in a spoken inquiry delivered at the Legislative Assembly before the agenda for the Wednesday plenary session.

In the inquiry, Lam remarked that recently, two students, one aged 13 and the other 16, were intercepted by Customs Services for trafficking and smuggling old mobile phones across the border.

“This case deserves deep reflection by society as a whole, to see if there is room for improvement in young people’s guidance and legal education, and in organizing activities during the holidays,” Lam said.

The lawmaker added that according to a study titled “Research Report on the Characteristics of Young Offenders” and studies on youth trends, during long vacations, due to a lack of appropriate activities, it is easier for young people to exhibit behavioral deviations, become addicted to electronic devices, or even break the law.

He claimed that many students spend a lot of time on their cell phones, viewing harmful content on the internet, and may be induced to participate in illegal activities such as trafficking and theft.

Furthermore, he said that due to their young age, they are unaware of the consequences, which can “lead them down the wrong path.”

Lam said that Macau “must continue to improve the legal education of young people and fill the gaps in guidance, starting with preventive intervention, guidance, and communication, to create a more comprehensive support system for the summer holidays.”

The lawmaker wants authorities, schools, companies, and associations to work together to promote vacation activities with diverse themes, including sports, culture, science and technology, civic education, and volunteer work.

He also proposed providing a subsidy and a participation certificate to those joining to increase their motivation and recognition.