Its minister, Rohani Abdul Karim, said it had proposed the “no gadget hour” campaign to be held during last November’s 1Malaysia National Family Month celebration, spearheaded by the National Population and Family Development Board Malaysia (LPPKN).
The ministry started the “no gadget hour” campaign last year by encouraging people to “forget” their gadgets — smartphones, tablets and other online devices — while at the dining table, especially when eating with family members.
Rohani said the “no gadget hour” campaign should continue this year as the LPPKN study found that 78% of parents allowed their children to own and use gadgets.
About 3.7% of them did not monitor their children’s gadget usage.
“Although Malaysia has developed, technology does not have to control the way Malaysians live as a family,” she told reporters after presenting the Excellent Service Award to 650 staff of the ministry and its agencies and departments at Universiti Putra Malaysia here today.
“The “no gadget hour” campaign was aimed at educating the current younger generation on the need to communicate verbally, using body language and eye contact.
“The ministry does not want the new generation to not understand about interpersonal bonding,” she said.