CommunityNEWS

The Crisis of Missing Teens: Who is to Blame?

By Rosli Mansor Ahmad Razali

In early January 2025, the nation was shocked by several cases of missing teenagers, sparking widespread concern among families and communities alike.

According to a report by Ipoh Echo/Peraktastic, titled “IPD Ipoh Seeks Help to Trace Missing Persons” on January 7, 2025, the Ipoh District Police Headquarters (IPD Ipoh) received five reports of missing individuals within 48 hours.

The police issued alerts via their official Facebook page to assist in locating these missing individuals. Notably, all reported cases involved women, with four of them being teenagers.

This alarming phenomenon has raised pressing questions about its root causes. What are the underlying factors contributing to the rise of such cases?

Social Issues and Social Media

Social challenges such as peer pressure, the pursuit of identity, and the growing influence of hedonistic culture among teenagers are often seen as significant contributors to this crisis.

Social media plays a substantial role in shaping teen behaviour in the digital era.

Platforms have become arenas where teens not only share their lives but also face potential dangers, including online predators.

Many teenagers fall prey to the enticing promises of strangers, putting them at significant risk of exploitation.

Family Issues and Peer Influence

Family-related issues cannot be overlooked as a contributing factor. Family conflicts, lack of parental attention, or academic pressures can push teenagers to run away from home.

Simultaneously, peer influence plays a crucial role. Teens exposed to negative influences from friends are likelier to engage in harmful activities or put themselves in dangerous situations.

Human Trafficking Syndicates

Another critical aspect to consider is the threat of human trafficking syndicates. Statistics indicate that teenagers, especially those easily influenced, are often prime targets for such criminal networks.

Weak security measures and low public awareness further facilitate the operations of these syndicates, leaving teenagers vulnerable.

The Role of Parents and Society

Addressing this issue requires parents to play an active role in safeguarding their children. Parents must be vigilant about changes in their children’s behaviour and foster healthy communication within the family.

Educating children about the dangers of social media and instilling safe online practices from a young age are also essential steps.

Meanwhile, society must adopt a proactive approach to tackle this crisis. Raising awareness about the dangers of human trafficking through campaigns by authorities and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) is vital.

Close collaboration between law enforcement agencies and the public can further enhance efforts to monitor teenage movements and resolve such cases more effectively.

A Call to Action

The rising cases of missing teenagers signal a clear need for greater attention to social and family-related issues.

To ensure the safety of our younger generation, the roles of parents, educational institutions, and society must align.

With a comprehensive approach, we can hope to address this crisis before it escalates further.

Show More

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Back to top button