Bermuda, still one of the most beautiful places on the planet, finds itself along with countries around the world in a struggle to preserve civility and bring a halt to crumbling values that could create social chaos and amount to a threat for future generations.

Children yet to be born could be affected terribly, depending on what steps are taken today by those in authority, who are confronted with ugly realities about changing patterns in social conduct. This could be caused by a weakened family structure during a time of negative distractions never seen before.

It is a challenging time for all because there are no easy answers to a multitude of problems, including an underworld of illicit drugs that are believed to be a part of gang activity, which has claimed the lives of many young men the past two decades.

There have been many voices crying in the wilderness for action that would discourage those embarking on a lifestyle fraught with lethal danger. Just what form of action should be taken remains a huge question for authorities, and indeed the entire Bermudian community.

Every family on the island should be deeply concerned about events that threaten young lives — often before they get started. Bermuda is certainly not alone in trying to protect and preserve values needed for any society to exist in a climate where people feel safe and free from violent crime and antisocial conduct.

Much of the world today is nervous about young people and the future. Whenever any country or nation is willing to turn its back on the importance of the family, it is similar to attempting to take a cruise on a vessel with no fuel. Families without solid values are vulnerable to ever-flowing negative distractions, along with potential consequences.

Enter the new age of cyberspace activity, where the floodgates have been wide open for the good, the bad and the ugly, with not much control over who has access to what. With so many young children in possession of devices for receiving and sending information, many young minds have been twisted to a point where in some countries cyberbullying has resulted in young people taking their own lives. In addition, families have been shattered by losing young minds as a result of communicating with people with hidden and devious motives. There are countless stories of families throughout world discovering too late what their child was involved in through cyberspace activity. This very device, which remains a good communication tool, could also be an electronic trapdoor for the vulnerable.

It is always positive to have the Government, the police and various community groups striving to reverse what at the moment appears to be an uncontrollable slide where decency and good values no longer matter. Success is unlikely without total focus on the importance of the family unit. Politicians on both sides and social activists can shout from the mountaintops, calling for change, but unless some of that old-fashioned family discipline with love can be restored, the next generation may be ill-equipped to tackle life’s problems

The objective for the moment should be to make every effort to save as much of this generation as possible, hopefully sparing those yet to be born from facing issues that diminish the ability to enjoy the amenities of this beautiful island.

If the family unit cannot be saved, we may just be in the mode of fading civility and crumbling values. The only way forward is for our authorities and communities to work together towards preserving the family and, most important, values of honesty, decency and respect for all.

That is the Bermuda that will make us truly special.