Oscar Tan has two loves \u2013 painting and Information and Communications Technology (ICT).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He combined these two loves into a single art piece that earned him a spot in The International Association for Cultural Diplomacy\u2019s \u2018We Are the World Events\u2019 Children\u2019s Art Exhibition in Paris, France, last month.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Since 2018, over 5,000 children\u2019s artworks from 41 countries have been featured in these exhibitions, held globally.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Oscar, now in Year 7 at Global Oak Tree Scholars (GOTS) International School, said he did not expect his painting, entitled \u2018Stop Cyber Bullying\u2019, to be chosen for the exhibition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
MY Art Studio submitted Oscar\u2019s entry, and it earned the Golden Bear Award from the organisers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI painted what I felt was important,\u201d said Oscar, who turns 13, on Feb 10. \u201cI enjoy painting, and love the ICT studies at GOTS International School.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cLearning more about computers is one of my passions, but with social media being what it is these days, I felt I needed to do something to educate people about cyberbullying.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Oscar is spot on with his observation as the Health Ministry released a study last May which showed one in five teenagers had bullied and harassed somebody through the internet, mobile phones, or other electronic devices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Institute for Public Health\u2019s \u2018National Health and Morbidity Survey (NHMS): Adolescent Health Survey (AHS) 2022\u2019, which included 33,523 secondary school students between the ages of 13 and 17 as respondents, found that making offensive remarks (11.3 per cent), and spreading rumours about someone (6.9 per cent) were the most common forms of cyberbullying.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The study also showed teenagers had engaged in other forms of cyberbullying, including sharing, or the uploading of embarrassing pictures of other people (4.8 per cent), and threatening to harm someone online (2 per cent).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Oscar said he hoped his painting will help raise awareness among teenagers about the harmful effects of cyberbullying.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Having just completed his first year at GOTS International School, Oscar thanked his coaches for always encouraging, and giving him the artistic licence to express himself during lessons.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSince switching to GOTS International School, I have become more confident. I have to thank the coaches and the school for this,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe coaches always encourage and help me when I have difficulties. I love coming to school as I am happy here.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI could not wait for the year-end holidays to end, so I could be back in school to see the coaches and be with my friends.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n