Manila:Professor Suroj Supavekin, MD, Head of the Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, has expressed concerns about the psychological impact on children following a recent go-kart race incident. The incident involved protests about engine specifications, leading to an investigation of the competition's rules. He highlighted the importance of distinguishing adult responsibilities from children's self-worth, emphasizing that 8-9 year olds lack the maturity to handle the social pressures resulting from the incident.
According to Thai News Agency, it is crucial for adults to allow children to express their feelings and help them understand that competition is a collaborative effort. Despite the children's best efforts, various factors can affect the outcome of a race. Therefore, the results should not be used as a measure of a child's worth or ability.
The ongoing discussion of this issue on social media and criticism in schools is particularly concerning for young children. The persistence of online content can have a long-term effect on their feelings and self-confidence, as children in this age group are not yet fully equipped to cope with such pressures.