Disturbing footage surfaces online
The clip, which appeared on the social platform Threads, shows a basketball coach in Hong Kong ordering a young student to slap himself repeatedly.
The coach makes the boy strike his own face with both hands several times, all under the bright daylight of a school playground, a scene that quickly drew shocked reactions.
Within hours the footage was shared across the network, amassing thousands of views and sparking a heated discussion about the limits of disciplinary authority in schools.
Child protection concerns
A local child protection organization warned that the forced self‑inflicted slaps could cause bruising, hand injuries and lasting emotional trauma, especially for a minor.
Advocates have called for a thorough investigation, urging school authorities and education officials to review disciplinary policies and ensure that any form of physical punishment is replaced with safeguarding measures that respect a child’s wellbeing.
The incident has reignited a global conversation about the use of corporal discipline, with many parents and educators questioning whether such practices have any place in modern classrooms.