Alice Fung, Phil Lam, Sean Wong, and Grace Chan Join Forces Across Generations to Advocate for Children

April 28, 2026 dailystar

Save the Children’s “Safe Start for Little Seed” Initiative Aims to Protect Children’s Development

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 28 April 2026 – Save the Children Hong Kong has officially unveiled the “Safe Start for Little Seed” campaign. This initiative not only seeks legal safeguards but also aspires to foster a “Zero Tolerance for Child Abuse” culture, nurturing the “soil for safe sprouting” within society to put children’s safety at the forefront at all times and places.

Celebrities of various generations and child actors united, urging the city to become 'Seed Guardians'. — *Celebrities of different generations and child actors unite, calling on the community to commit to being ‘Seed Guardians’.*

The campaign sees notable support from “Down-to-earth Grandma” Alice Fung, singer-songwriter and new parent Phil Lam, Time Still Turns the Pages child star Sean Wong, and celebrity mother Grace Chan. They are openly sharing their experiences with positive parenting while urging the public to sign a petition to become a “Seed Guardian” dedicated to child protection.

Although the Mandatory Reporting of Child Abuse Ordinance, effective earlier this year, mandates that 25 categories of professionals report suspected abuse, Save the Children Hong Kong advocates that the law represents merely the starting point. Genuine peace of mind for children requires full participation from the community. The “Safe Start for Little Seed” initiative begins with encouraging positive parenting and non-violent communication at home, reaching into schools and child-service organizations. Through Child Safeguarding Services and workshops, the campaign aims to enhance the awareness and practical skills of frontline workers in NGOs, schools, and sports facilities. Parents, neighbors, coaches, and tutors can all take on the role of “Seed Guardians” by spotting risks early, demonstrating caring actions, and knowing how to seek assistance.

Save the Children Hong Kong also emphasized the necessity for further policy enhancement despite the existence of mandatory reporting laws. This includes gradually broadening mandatory reporting responsibilities to encompass all roles and professionals interacting with children, institutionalizing safeguarding training in relevant tertiary education programs, and conducting consistent training for staff across organizations. The government should regularly assess its policies to ensure comprehensive protection of children’s safety.

Banishing Punishment: Engaging Children Through Dialogue

Numerous parents in Hong Kong experience significant work-related stress. In moments when faced with a child’s urgent needs—be it illness or emotional outbursts—they might resort to yelling or physical discipline out of exasperation. Yet, harsh reprimands or corporal punishment provide only transient compliance and fail to promote children’s understanding of the reasons for their behavior, risking long-term trust damage.

Veteran actress Alice Fung shared in a campaign video that she previously imposed physical discipline when her son was young. She recounted an instance when she slapped him after he dashed into the road out of safety concerns, confessing, “It was my own fear.” After witnessing her son getting hurt while playing at age seven, she raised her hand to discipline him, only for him to plead, “Mommy, please don’t hit me anymore, I’m already in a lot of pain.” This struck her as a wake-up call. Since that time, she has favored reasoning over physical punishment. “He’s in his fifties now, and we remain great friends,” she added.

Trusting Children: Encouraging Exploration with Compassion

Singer-songwriter Phil Lam mentioned that while his parents were strict, they never practiced corporal punishment. He credits their trust and support as pivotal in helping him carve his own path, a principle he applies to his 18-month-old son today. Explaining how he weaned his son off a pacifier, Phil said, “I explained that the pacifier is only for sleeping. Since you aren’t asleep right now, why not return it to me?” Although his son may not fully grasp it, he pondered before letting go. Phil was astonished by the outcome, stating, “Don’t underestimate children’s understanding. They grasp a lot.” He reminded parents, “When children feel loved, they feel safe and are more confident in exploring the world.”

Sean Wong, the 14-year-old actor who portrayed a child grappling with immense pressure in the movie Time Still Turns the Pages, recognizes how a single phrase can leave an enduring impact. In reality, Sean is grateful that his parents do not put heavy academic pressure on him. During stressful exam times, his mother takes him to flower markets or food fairs to help him unwind. Aware of his fortunate circumstances, Sean commented on the struggles faced by his peers: “I see classmates achieving high grades yet feeling unhappy. They feel they’ve disappointed their parents.” He added: “I hope parents can see things from a child’s viewpoint—acknowledging their efforts and offering praise and encouragement. This can greatly alleviate the pressure on us.”

Free Book Download: 15 Minutes of Quality Parent-Child Time

Meaningful relationships stem from consistent quality time—it’s not just about the quantity of time spent together. Save the Children Hong Kong encourages parents to dedicate 15 minutes daily—away from devices and work—to engage in play, conversation, or reading with their children. This enhances understanding of children’s thoughts and feelings while strengthening their sense of safety and security. To support families, Save the Children Hong Kong has released the children’s book, The Rights Twins and Their Guardian Bears. Through delightful illustrations, this book introduces the four fundamental rights outlined in the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child: survival, protection, development, and participation. By signing the online petition to become a “Seed Guardian” and committing to safeguarding children’s healthy growth in safe environments, individuals can download the e-book for free and practice the “15-minute rule” via shared reading.

Ms. Kalina Tsang, CEO of Save the Children Hong Kong, stated: “Becoming a ‘Seed Guardian’ is not merely a slogan; it is a call to action. While the law has indeed established a safety net, for children to genuinely thrive, the entire community must join efforts to cultivate a culture of ‘zero tolerance for child abuse’ throughout every corner of Hong Kong. One act of care today can mean one less regret for tomorrow.”

Evaluating Legislation for Sustainable Safety

While welcoming the new Ordinance, Save the Children Hong Kong insists that the government must continuously review and enhance policies. According to a recent research report by Save the Children Hong Kong, titled Children’s Perspectives on Safety Within Organizations in Hong Kong, half of the 587 surveyed children aged 9–17 felt they could not identify a trustworthy staff member within child-related organizations. Although legislation offers a foundational layer of child protection, establishing a long-term safe environment necessitates a comprehensive cultural shift.

Save the Children Hong Kong recommends that the Government consider gradually expanding mandatory reporting responsibilities to all professionals who frequently interact with children. Furthermore, we advocate for the systematic incorporation of child safeguarding training within relevant tertiary educational coursework and the implementation of regular training across all child-focused organizations in Hong Kong. Only by fostering a culture of “zero tolerance for child abuse” across all societal levels can Hong Kong genuinely transform into a child-friendly and child-first environment.

Save the Children Hong Kong is dedicated to advancing child protection through prevention. At the community level, our Heart to Heart Parent-Child Programme enhances positive parenting and non-violent communication skills through workshops, ensuring that children flourish in a respectful and harmonious setting while bolstering their self-protection awareness and parent-child relationships. Since its inception in 2018, the program has benefited over 1,200 parents and caregivers, along with nearly 2,000 children in Hong Kong.

At the institutional level, our Child Safeguarding Services support organizations involved in child-focused work through offerings such as policy development, risk management, and staff training, empowering schools and NGOs with the necessary knowledge, skills, and internal protocols to actively safeguard the children they supervise.

On a policy level, we engage society to back child-centric policies through advocacy and research initiatives. We continue to provide insights on the implementation and breadth of the Mandatory Reporting of Child Abuse Ordinance, urging the community to unite in safeguarding our children’s safety.

Hashtag: #SavetheChildrenHongKong #香港救助兒童會 #保護兒童 #childprotection

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About Save the Children Hong Kong

Save the Children believes every child deserves a future. In Hong Kong and around the world, we strive tirelessly—daily and in times of crisis—to ensure children can realize their rights to a healthy start in life, learning opportunities, and protection from harm. With a century’s worth of experience, we stand as the world’s pioneering and foremost independent children’s organization, committed to transforming lives and futures.

Established in 2009, Save the Children Hong Kong is part of a global movement active in around 100 countries. We collaborate with children, families, schools, communities, and supporters to create enduring change for children both in Hong Kong and worldwide.

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Save the Children’s “Safe Start for Little Seed” Initiative Aims to Protect Children’s Development

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