THE recent surge in school violence has prompted our government to consider a potential ban on smartphone usage for students aged 16 and below, citing concerns that social media and online gaming may negatively influence behavior and even contribute to criminal acts.
Indeed, Internet addiction has become a global concern. Both China and South Korea have categorised it as a serious public health threat. In Malaysia, the National Health and Morbidity Survey (2017) revealed that 40% of teenagers aged 13 to 17 are addicted to the Internet, and a 2018 news report noted that over 80% of them spend more than four hours daily on social media. More recently, a 2022 survey by the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) found that 11.7% of Internet users are online more than 18 hours a day and 16% of these heavy users are aged 20 or below.
