Straits Times report.
Quote
Say "no" to getting a ride from strangers, kids told.
Students shouldn't take any chance even if driver means well, says MPs on recent scares.
A child should never take up a stranger's offer of a lift in their vehicle, even on a a rainy day.
This was the resounding verdict of socialogists, support groups and Members of Parliament, who were commenting on a series of recent incidents here that raised the spectre - albeit briefly - of kidnapping.
Unquote
Welcome to Singapore. The Singapore mindset is to think of the worst case and take all kinds of precautions. And the problem will disappear.
Really?
There are many other ways for kidnappers to kidnap a child. When the child grows up and becomes an adult and have to travel to other countries, they will also be scared to take taxis or other forms of transport, because they can also be kidnapped?
Can you trust taking a private hire car? Are you sure that the driver has been screened by Uber or Grab? Can a third party take over the car and go around to pick up riders for kidnap?
Do we want people to grow up to be scared of all strangers?
There must be a better way to teach students how to accept a ride from strangers and still be safe. How about taking a photo of the car and send it by SMS to the parent or friend? And let the kind driver know that this has been done.
In the old days, taking a lift from strangers if a good way for young people to travel across a large country, like America. Some people do disappear, but the majority gets a useful life experience. They may disappear on the streets, and not only from taking a ride.
Quote
Say "no" to getting a ride from strangers, kids told.
Students shouldn't take any chance even if driver means well, says MPs on recent scares.
A child should never take up a stranger's offer of a lift in their vehicle, even on a a rainy day.
This was the resounding verdict of socialogists, support groups and Members of Parliament, who were commenting on a series of recent incidents here that raised the spectre - albeit briefly - of kidnapping.
Unquote
Welcome to Singapore. The Singapore mindset is to think of the worst case and take all kinds of precautions. And the problem will disappear.
Really?
There are many other ways for kidnappers to kidnap a child. When the child grows up and becomes an adult and have to travel to other countries, they will also be scared to take taxis or other forms of transport, because they can also be kidnapped?
Can you trust taking a private hire car? Are you sure that the driver has been screened by Uber or Grab? Can a third party take over the car and go around to pick up riders for kidnap?
Do we want people to grow up to be scared of all strangers?
There must be a better way to teach students how to accept a ride from strangers and still be safe. How about taking a photo of the car and send it by SMS to the parent or friend? And let the kind driver know that this has been done.
In the old days, taking a lift from strangers if a good way for young people to travel across a large country, like America. Some people do disappear, but the majority gets a useful life experience. They may disappear on the streets, and not only from taking a ride.
No comments:
Post a Comment