SINGAPORE, Sept. 5 -- Shoplifting among Singapore youths has risen sharply this year, with psychologists pointing to peer pressure, thrill-seeking and social media as key drivers.

Authorities said shoplifting was among the top offences committed by youths, and it also formed the largest share of physical crime cases recorded, Singapore-based news portal CNA reported today.

Police data showed 271 arrests of youths aged 10 to 19 for shop theft in the first half of 2025, a 41.1 per cent increase compared to 192 in the same period last year

"The reward centre of the brain ... is 'highly sensitive' during the teenage period," educational and child psychologist Vivien Yang from Bloom Child Psychology told CNA.

This neurological sensitivity,...