PETALING JAYA: The government should address the root cause of youth’s internet addiction instead of looking into restricting internet access, said MCA.
Its publicity bureau deputy chairman Lau Chin Kok said the internet should not be blamed for the addiction problem as it makes life convenient for the masses.
This is in response to deputy Health Minister Dr Lee Boon Chye’s earlier announcement in Parliament that the Health Ministry is looking into models to limit internet access past midnight for youths aged below 17.
In a statement on Tuesday (Aug 14), Lau said Dr Lee’s “one size fits all” approach cannot truly resolve the problem and presents difficulties in law enforcement.
“Family education and parental attention on children are the only key solutions. Parental care and love for the children, as well as ways of effective cure against the habits of Internet addiction should also be reviewed by the Health Ministry,” he said.
Lau also urged the government to refrain from spreading news before a final policy and detailed plan are in place.
“(Spreading such news) would not only invoke unnecessary panic but also affect the integrity of the government,” he said.
“The proposed national health insurance scheme is one example, where Dr Lee was quick to spill the news to the media without giving much details,” he said, adding that the move was criticised for not engaging the relevant stakeholders.
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