Bricks dug out from pavements are seen left on a chair after protesters clashed with riot police at Mong Kok district in Hong Kong, China, Feb 9, 2016.[Photo/Agencies]

Many people have been calling for an independent study into the cause of the recent riot in the Mong Kok area of Hong Kong. If the terms of reference are set right, an independent study may indeed prove useful. For example, reports say social media tools have increasingly been used by individuals and organizations to politically radicalize people.

Many young people get the attention and approval of peer groups in social media by saying outlandish things, because bold and provocative comments are more likely to attract attraction. In fact, terrorist groups are known to be adept at using social media to recruit youths to their ranks. So, how important was social media in instigating the Mong Kok riot?

Unfortunately, those who ask for an independent study into the cause of the riot seem more interested in finding faults with the Hong Kong government than in finding what might avert such crises. A commentator, sympathizing with the Mong Kok rioters, wrote: "No one is born an opponent of the government and violent. If one had the choice, who would want to put himself at risk and be labeled a rioter?" But the same could be said about Anders Behring Breivik, who killed 77 innocent people in Norway in 2011. Indeed, one could say the same thing about all criminals. So where does all this end?

The worrying thing is that instead of condemning the riot, many opinion leaders have sympathized with the rioters. Perhaps as a result of this, more people, rather than moderating their behavior, are now using violent language. One netizen even said he would pay a reward of HK$10,000 for every policeman killed.

In response, Hong Kong Legislative Council member Priscilla Leung, said people who say such things are being cruel to young people, and inciting them to violent acts was tantamount to condemning them to a life of hopelessness and hatred.