Dear Parents,
In recent times, a series of incidents occurring across the globe—from the tragic school-related case in Shenzhen China, to the sharp rise in digital sex crimes among adolescents in South Korea, and the frequent instances of youth psychological crises and violence in Europe and the United States—have compelled us to engage in profound and urgent reflection on education. These are no longer distant events; their stark reality demands our attention, especially as we at XLIS strive to cultivate a generation that can navigate such complexities with wisdom and compassion.
Data indicates that youth issues worldwide are trending towards earlier occurrence, increased hiddenness (particularly in online spaces), and the externalization of psychological problems. These incidents are not just news headlines; they serve as a mirror reflecting the unprecedented pressures, temptations, and confusions that our rapidly changing, information-saturated era imposes on young people. Often, the root cause is not solely attributable to either the family or the school, but rather signals a collective need to update our understanding and take coordinated action regarding the fundamental question of education: “What kind of individuals are we aiming to cultivate?” At XLIS, we believe the answer lies in nurturing individuals who are not only academically proficient but also emotionally resilient and ethically grounded.
Today, I would like to explore with you: In an uncertain future, which direction should we guide our children toward?
A Wake-Up Call: New Challenges Revealed by Global Cases
• Eroding Values and ‘Rational’ Evil: In the Shenzhen case involving the 15-year-old boy, the perpetrator reportedly searched online for “what responsibility does a 14-year-old bear for murder” beforehand. This indicates a cold ‘cost-benefit analysis,’ demonstrating a complete loss of basic reverence for life and empathetic ability. It warns us that if we only cultivate ‘cleverness’ in our children while neglecting the shaping of their moral character, knowledge can become an accomplice to wrongdoing.
• Conflict Resolution Through Violence & Psychological Breakdown: The September 11th tragedy at Dongxing Middle School in Guangxi, where a student attacked a classmate with a knife and then died by suicide, is profoundly alarming. This extreme case exposes critical gaps in identifying student conflicts, providing timely psychological intervention, and controlling dangerous items such as weapons. It underscores a devastating failure in managing emotions and resolving disputes peacefully.
• Rejection and Extreme Reactions: On October 14th, a 14-year-old boy at a Chinese independent school in Malaysia stabbed a female student in the restroom after his romantic advances were rejected. This severe case highlights the potentially dangerous intersection of emotional volatility, an inability to cope with rejection, and access to weapons, pointing to profound deficiencies in emotional education and guidance.
• Technology Misuse and Ethical Failure: The surge in ‘digital sex crimes’ among South Korean youth, with adolescents comprising a startling 59.4% of those involved in deepfake-related crimes, is alarming. One specific case involved a middle school student producing and selling child sexual abuse material using this technology. This starkly highlights that without simultaneous ethical guidance and legal education, technological empowerment can devolve into a moral catastrophe.
• Mental Health Crisis and Lack of Emotional Management: Whether it’s the “long-term emotional repression” noted in the Shenzhen perpetrator or the data from the US showing 40% of high school students feeling “persistently sad or hopeless” and 20% seriously considering suicide, It all speaks for: our children are facing a silent psychological storm. They may achieve academic excellence yet remain internally fragile, struggling to effectively handle setbacks and negative emotions.
• Addictive Behaviors and an Empty Inner World: The fact that over 100,000 South Korean adolescents are identified as having a gambling addiction, alongside the spread of social media dependency and extreme appearance anxiety (such as the “bone-smashing” trend) among youth in Europe and the US, reflects that some young people lack healthy interests, solid values, and a fulfilling inner life in the real world. Consequently, they turn to the virtual realm or risky behaviors for stimulation and a sense of belonging.
Clarifying Our Vision: What Kind of People Does the Future World Need?
In the face of these complex challenges, the global educational community is forming a clearer picture of the individuals needed for the future. They should not merely be knowledge holders, but also:
Individuals Rooted in Kindness and Respect: This is the cornerstone of education. A person who understands respect (for life, for differences), possesses compassion, practices honesty and integrity, and has a strong sense of responsibility is the prerequisite for all development. A lack of knowledge can be remedied, but a lack of character renders any knowledge potentially dangerous.
Thinkers Blending Innovative Thought and Humanistic Warmth: In the age of AI, the ability to ask valuable questions and exercise critical thinking and information discernment is more important than simply knowing answers. Simultaneously, as advocated in Finnish education, we must insist on “balancing technology with the humanities” to prevent the “alienation of technology” from eroding our humanity.
Collaborators Skilled in Communication and Teamwork: The complex problems of future society cannot be solved by individuals alone. The ability to understand different perspectives, communicate effectively, and collaborate in teams is a core competency. Research from Shanghai’s Lvyuan Primary School indicates that many children exhibit relatively weak “social skills,” reminding us of the need to strengthen cultivation in this area. At XLIS, collaboration is not just taught but practiced daily through group projects, cultural exchanges, and our diverse house system.
Resilient Individuals with Inner Strength and Adaptability: They possess a “growth mindset,” viewing challenges as opportunities and failures as part of learning. They have the inner fortitude not to be easily crushed by external algorithms or peer pressure. XLIS fosters this resilience through our challenging IB curriculum, supportive counseling services, and a culture that celebrates effort and perseverance over mere achievement.
Home-School Partnership: Concrete Actions We Can Take Together
Updating our mindset requires the support of concrete actions. I earnestly hope that our Xi’an Liangjiatan International School community can work hand in hand, striving together in the following aspects:
For Parents, I Encourage You To:
1. Shift from ‘Grade-Focuser’ to ‘Life Coach’: Dedicate 15 minutes daily to high-quality companionship and genuine dialogue in a “phone-free silent mode.” Take inspiration from Shanghai Lvyuan Primary School’s “You+ Discussion Forum,” listening to children’s concerns like “What should we do when mom and dad are always on their phones?” and jointly establishing family rules. The key is to listen to their emotions and confusions, not just their homework and grades.
2. Integrate ‘Character Education’ into Daily Life Scenarios: Use news events (like the dangers of deepfakes), movies, or books to discuss technology ethics, online boundaries, and the dignity of life with your children. Encourage their participation in household chores to foster responsibility; involve them in community service to experience the joy and value of “giving.”
3. Redefine ‘Success’ and Become Your Child’s ‘Emotional Container’: When your child faces setbacks, stand with them, analyze reasons together, rather than simply blaming. Tell them: “Your effort and progress make us prouder than a perfect score alone. No matter the outcome, we will always love and support you.”
4. Actively Learn to Become ‘Internet-Savvy’ Parents: Understand the social platforms and online culture your children engage with (e.g., “looksmaxxing” forums, “bone-smashing” challenges), not for surveillance, but to comprehend their world. This enables timely risk alerts and proper guidance, helping to prevent tragedies influenced by algorithms, like that of the British girl Molly.
For the School, We Commit To:
1. Deepening Holistic Education and Strengthening Psychological Support: We will continue to reinforce character education integrated across all subjects and place mental health education in a more central position. Through Project-Based Learning (PBL), Model UN, drama performances, and more, we will comprehensively cultivate children’s empathy, collaborative skills, and emotional resilience.
2. Building a Healthy, Safe, and Inclusive School Culture: We will maintain a “zero-tolerance” policy towards any form of bullying, including cyberbullying. Concurrently, we will vigorously promote peer mediation, improve our mental health support system, and ensure every child feels safe, accepted, and seen.
3. Enhancing Home-School Collaboration and Providing Professional Support: Through regular parent workshops and expert lectures focusing on themes like “Identifying Adolescent Psychological Crisis,” “Technology Ethics and Family Education,” and “How to Talk to Children about Online Risks,” we will share cutting-edge philosophy and practical strategies with you, becoming your steadfast allies on the educational journey.
Dear parents, education is a warm yet steadfast endeavor. It is no longer solely about the transmission of knowledge but increasingly about the nurturing of life, the shaping of character, and the guardianship of the spirit. We cannot clear all the thorns from our children’s path, but we can work together to equip them with the wisdom, courage, kindness, and strength to navigate through them.
Let us set aside anxiety, return to the essence of education, and jointly nurture a next generation that is inwardly fulfilled, morally steadfast, discerning, and capable of making positive changes in the world. We look forward to deeper exchanges with you in the upcoming parent-teacher meetings and workshops.
Sincerely,
Lily Liu
Head of XLIS
Email: lily.liu@xalis.com
WeChat: lily6_sunshine
October 21st, 2025
