The Dahe News, a newspaper in Zhengzhou, the capital of central China's Henan Province, reported in its April 28 edition a ghastly murder case which had occurred in Renhua County, of South China's Guangdong Province. Two teenagers under the age of 18 walked out of an amusement game room in the small hours of the morning, then suddenly, and without provocation, brutally beat and burned a roadside beggar. The two teens have been arrested on the charge of "causing death by malicious injury".

What incited these two teenagers to commit the crime against the beggar? The suspects confessed that they just wanted something exciting and fun to do, so they "played with the beggar to dispel ennui". After that failed to satisfy them they set the beggar on fire. From their account of the incident, it becomes apparent that these two teenagers had simple motives for their actions, but they committed the murder in a cold-blooded and pitiless manner that exhibited utter disregard for human life.

Who would ever imagine that two under-18 high school students could commit such a gruesome crime "just for fun and excitement"? Such a social phenomenon deserves our thoughtful attention, and it also poses a thought-provoking question for educators to ponder.

Admittedly, part of the reason can be attributed to inadequate legal education in secondary schools. At present, secondary school students are only learning some abstract legal theory far removed from the lives of average people, and they are not taught to treat law with due respect and awe. As a result of such legal education, secondary school students do not have strong awareness of law, nor do they have strong respect for law.

Raising the legal consciousness and legal awareness of the population is a long-term process which requires sustained effort. Legal education for secondary school students is undoubtedly an important part of this process. Unfortunately, legal education is largely given short shrift in our secondary schools. The sad fact that the two teenagers kicked and burned a beggar to death just for excitement's sake illustrates the natural outcome of inadequate legal education. This is a question which should be given serious consideration.

On the other hand, the murder incident in Renhua County reflects the negative impact of violent culture on teenagers. Violent videos and games have become widespread in China in recent years, leading to the rapid spread of a culture of violence. Studies have shown that watching too much violence on TV, in films or in video games can desensitize some young people to violence or encourage them to act aggressively. Such violent videos and games can also desensitize some young people to the value of a human life, undermining their respect for human life and dignity, and diminishing their awe for law and legality. Perhaps these two teenagers, having just left the video game room, had thought that they were just playing another game when they were hitting, kicking and burning the beggar.

While it is necessary to strengthen legal education to steer students away from violence by helping them foster correct views on law and order, moral education in schools should be enhanced so that students can develop well-harmonized characters and sound values. Life education should be conducted to teach students how valuable life really is, and to teach them to appreciate, respect and stand in awe of life.