Turn off the screen, turn on life

A study on Malaysian youth shows that they spend about 32.6 hours in a day on media-related activities such as watching TV, surfing the Internet, listening to the radio and reading magazines. How come 32.6 hours? Are there not only 24 hours in a day? Well, technology allows us to multitask. One can talk on the phone, watch television, and check Facebook with the music on at the same time.

However, the research shows that out of the 32.6 hours, 26.8 hours were spent on sedentary or individual activities where there was not much interaction with family and friends.

Children are spending about 5.3 hours in school, 3.3 hours on the net, 2.5 hours on watching television, 1.3 hours on the phone and 6.8 hours sleeping. This does not leave much time for engaging with family members.

Malaysian adults and children spend on the average of 20 hours online each week. More than half (53 per cent) of Malaysian digital consumers surf the Internet on a daily basis, while 35 per cent go online several times a week.

This is followed by time spent watching television, making 10.6 hours per week.

The take-up rate for smartphones and tablet computers is also gaining momentum.

Smartphone ownership is set to almost double during the next 12 months to reach 89 per cent (up from 48 per cent today) for all digital consumers aged 15 years and above while tablet computers are anticipated to be 75 per cent (from current 18 per cent) for all digital consumers’ households surveyed. This means Malaysian will spend even more time on the net.

Consumers’ appetite for media and Internet-capable devices has also increased opportunities for simultaneous media consumption: more than two-thirds (71 per cent) of those surveyed claim they watch TV and browse the Internet at the same time.

While computers remain the primary platform for simultaneous usage, one out of 10 (11 per cent) digital consumers say they watch TV and access the Internet on their mobile phone simultaneously.

The increasing time spent on screen devices has decreased quality time with family and friends.

An International Survey has found that Malaysians have the highest number of Facebook friends, with an average of 233 in each account.

Malaysians spend nine hours a week on Facebook which is one of the highest recorded in the world.

These statistics show that we have more “digital” friends than “real” friends; communication has moved from engaging friends or family members face-to-face to messages on the screen.

More screen time also means less active activities. This inactive lifestyle is one of the causes of obesity.

About 43 per cent adults, some 20 per cent adolescents and 26 per cent of primary schoolchildren are either overweight or obese.

The annual Screen-Free Week initiated by Fomca is from April 21 to April 27.

This is the fourth year we are bringing this message to communities to spend seven days turning off entertainment screen media and turning on life.

It’s time to unplug and play, read, create, and spend time with family and friends. Log on to www.kkk.org.my/english for more details about the campaign. Let’s turn off the screen and turn on life.

DATUK PAUL SELVA RAJ
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER,
FEDERATION OF MALAYSIAN
CONSUMERS ASSOCIATIONS