#Childrensrights

A recent BBC report reveals that school-based anxiety has soared to what mental health experts describe as “epidemic” levels in Northern Ireland, with tens of thousands of youths missing significant classroom time due to overwhelming emotional distress, autism, ADHD, and bullying. The scale of the crisis has prompted calls for urgent review of both mental health supports and how schools address students’ individual needs. With Thailand facing rising cases of adolescent mental health problems after the pandemic, these findings carry crucial implications for Thai educators, parents, and policymakers.

A rising tide of modern parenting is directly challenging the physical and verbal punishment of children, igniting new debates about child rights, parental stress, and the legal status of corporal punishment worldwide—including in England, where the issue has come under fresh scrutiny. As discussion grows following high-profile endorsements of gentle, respectful parenting, Thai families and policymakers may find themselves reflecting on the country’s own traditions, laws, and cultural attitudes toward discipline.