Violence in Chinese campuses can be attributed to light punishment and mass media, an expert claims. (Photo : Reuters)
According to Zhang Kaixuan, the series of recent campus violence in the country can be rooted from light punishment and from the influence of mass media.
"Teenagers pay a small price for their violent acts under current regulations, and the light punishment they receive may encourage further violent behavior," Zhang told the Global Times. Zhang is an expert from the Beijing Youth Legal and Psychological Consultation Service Sector.
"Most of the perpetrators of campus violence are released after getting an 'education' or receiving a suspended sentence," Zhang stressed.
The expert also cited the lack of proper guidance from teachers and parents. Adding the influence of films and television programs, and the lack of sense of belonging among peers, these factors contribute to the increase of violence among Chinese teenagers.
"The victims of campus violence are not the only ones who are suffering. Other students are also victims of fear. Such fear could gradually erode their sense of justice. The perpetrators may feel emboldened to commit more serious offenses," he added.
Since May, footages of several incidents of campus violence have gone viral online. On Monday, one video was uploaded showing a girl from Yonxin County being beaten and asked to kneel down by nine teenage girls.
In another video, a group of high school Qingyuan County students locked a primary school student in a small room, beat him up and burned with a cigarette.
For Zhang, educating the students is still the key in minimizing campus violence.
"Campus violence could be minimized if society and schools educate students to respect others by creating a fair and humane environment and offering opportunities for them to take part in charity activities," Zhang suggested.
