Good morning, all! I am psychologist Lee Li Li. Today, I will be sharing with you the topic "Why do children love performing dangerous stunts on "basikal lajak" (modified bicycle)?"

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The recent conviction by the High Court on a female driver that killed eight teenagers riding modified bicycles (basikal lajak) on a highway due to negligent driving has once again sparked an uproar in Malaysia. Netizens also have been sharing videos of cyclists riding the "basikal lajak", which arouse heated debates and widespread concerns to the public as it shows the cyclists endangering the lives of road users.

Researches show that children tend to be aware of the potential consequences (e. g. dangers and risks) of their behaviours. However, they are also tempted to engage in sensation-seeking activities, such as breaking rules, participating in "basikal lajak" activities, etc., to acquire fun and exciting experiences. The "basikal lajak" has the seat elevated to be levelled to the bicycle handlebars, so that the cyclist may ride in a "superman" style. Besides, the bicycles are modified to increase speed (i. e. no tread patterns on the wheels, no breaks, no headlights or bell), which brings further excitement when going downhill.

Why do children crave such risk-taking behaviours? The brain integration of a child and adolescent is still not fully developed yet. Hence, the boost of dopamine (an organic compound that plays several vital roles in the brain and body, which affects the emotions and perceptions of a person) yields cravings for exciting and satisfying experiences.

The dopamine level tends to be at baseline during a child’s daily life. When the child is exposed to situations that allow them to break the rules, their dopamine level will increase, which also explains why children feel "bored" in their daily life. However, they will get excited and feel heroic when they are involved in a novel experience.

Children with poor self-control tend to have a stronger curiosity and modelling ability. These children tend to pay more attention to the excitement and satisfaction that is experienced in games while neglecting the negative aspects or consequences of the game.

Besides, if a child is lacking self-esteem or did not receive any sense of achievement in their daily life, the ability to master the excitement of the "basikal lajak" will then become a tool to showcase their ability, helping them to fill in the emptiness within themselves. However, this missing puzzle piece will guide them to put a blind eye on the dangers of their behaviours and lead them to indulge in the thoughts of "I want to win. I want to be the first. I want to be the centre of attention. I want to be famous."

Needless to say, this topic is also inseparable from the influence of family members. Various psychological researches state that a child’s psychological health and ability to practice self-control are influenced by the parents’ beliefs, emotions, and behaviours during the parent-child interaction. These influences can affect their ability to make sensible decisions. The continuous improvement in the parents’ knowledge, skills, and method in educating their children will facilitate the self-growth of both parents and children and help them cope with the various challenges and problems that the children may encounter.

Lastly, as an adult, we ought to reflect seriously on the cause of these unacceptable behaviours. Adolescents tend to have a yearning for exploring new experiences. If we constantly prevent them from experiencing novelties, the interaction between adolescents and adults will cease. That being said, we ought to encourage them to participate in positive "risk-taking activities" or high stimulation activities, such as rock climbing, team obstacle courses, forest exploration, sports competitions, etc. These activities do not only fulfil the pursuit of excitement but also help develop their resilience and creativity. Through these activities, children can learn to recognize dangers and develop their skills in facing dangerous situations, while increasing their safety awareness and ability to avoid dangers. This is the best plan to put an end to inappropriate risk-taking activities.

Thank you!

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