VietNamNet Bridge – A beautiful girl stands straight and flips her skirt up, showing her underwear. Meanwhile, a boy kneels down and peeks at her from below. All are part of images from a Japanese comic book sold in HCM City.

Our teenagers find it difficult to distinguish between the good and the bad in foreign comics. (Photo: Internet)

Commenting on the negative effects of these comics on children, one educator in HCM City said mostly teenagers, aged 12 and over, prefer Japanese comics — which are full of inappropriate pictures and content, compared to books produced domestically. Teens are reading these harmful comics with great concentration.

“After reading the books, a meek girl/boy can become viciously excited by the sex and cruelty,” said Le Minh Nga, director of the HCM City Counseling Centre of Psychology, Education, Love, Marriage and Family. She has spent more than 20 years in education and training.

VN teens ’are quieter’

Nga explained that the lifestyles of Vietnamese teenagers are typically quieter than those of foreign teenagers, including those who live in developed Asian countries like Japan.

“Our teenagers find it difficult to distinguish between the good and the bad in foreign comics. They are also unsure of which stories are suitable for their age. Meanwhile, local publishers are keen on printing similar books to foreign comics without warning because of the high profits.”

“We have called on cultural authorities to place more controls on publishers’ circulations in the city,” she said.

In the meantime, many titles of Japanese comics written for adults aged 18 and over are growing in popularity among many teenagers and children. These books contain love affairs and murders, using adult and profane language.

Many teachers and parents have also expressed alarm at these comics.

“I’m worried sick about my son and his classmates when they read foreign comics. These books are not suitable for teens but they are very attractive to them,” said Nguyen Thi Uyen. “I don’t want any more comics for my son.”

Indeed, several thousand foreign comic books are presently for sale in bookstores. Comics, including those with illegal content, have come to dominate the book market, proving extremely popular with young readers.

“We agree with the opinions of educators and parents about how violent comics from foreign countries can corrupt our innocent children and teenagers,” said Hang Nga, an official of Kim Dong, a leading publishing house for children.

“The best solution is to have local publishers improve their businesses. Before introducing comics to young readers, they should carefully select their books,” she said.

Nguyen Kiem, head of the Ministry of Information and Communication’s Publishing Department, said: “The book market for children is the most promising market for publishers and distributors. These businessmen are attracted to publishing foreign comics, because these are the titles that attract young readers.”

“We will increase our control of publishers’ business activities, asking them to release age-appropriate comics for children,” Kiem affirmed.

“We will also hand out higher punishments for illegal publishers and bookstores,” Kiem said, adding that the maximum punishment of only VND30 million (US$1,200) for publishing illegally is useless.

Kiem added that if publishers break the business regulations, his department will revoke their licence.

(Source: Viet Nam News)