China needs to help young students facing unique pressures in age of AI

Suicide rates among adolescents in China reveal an unusual pattern: some studies show that those from more affluent families and with better-educated parents are at a higher risk of taking their own lives compared with those from less privileged backgrounds.

This stands in stark contrast to trends observed in many other countries, where children from poorer families and those exposed to domestic violence are more likely to attempt suicide.

However, this does not imply that children from poorer families in China are unaffected. Research also indicates that “left-behind” children of migrants in rural areas – particularly those experiencing loneliness – exhibit a high risk of suicidal tendencies.

While loneliness, parental neglect, poverty and domestic violence could lead to depression or suicidal thoughts, another tragic factor for Chinese children is the intense pressure they face from parents who care too much about their success.

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Left-behind toddler chases after parents’ car in China

Left-behind toddler chases after parents’ car in China

Authorities alarmed by the trend have rolled out a range of measures to address this, including banning paid tutoring after school hours and during the summer holidays.