Nurturing young minds through arts
2008/07/16
NORMAH Nordin, a cultural big gun, weighs in on the matter of deliberate parenting and also the importance of the arts.
“Yes, parents definitely have to be more responsible in the development of their children,” said Normah.
She added that “deliberate parenting is a style of bringing up children that acknowledges the importance of nurturing the minds of children by their parents. Children today are smart and gifted and it is our duty to see that they reach their full potential. I must also add that the arts is an important part of society that can complement deliberate parenting. Children can discuss issues amongst their peers by watching plays on matters that interest them, which parents do not necessarily discuss with them.”
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Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Children see, children do
Children see, children do
By : FRANCIS DASS
2008/07/16
Deliberate parenting, when done properly, will result in a child who is smart, confident and happy.
Six families had the opportunity to attend a parental workshop that prescribes deliberate parenting, family communications and bonding. FRANCIS DASS writes.
Jambunathan is a strong proponent of deliberate parenting.
HAVING spent more than a decade and a half in journalism, I can safely say that not many things surprise me in life.
So it was with great interest that I did a second take on a sentence that said, “... it is important for parents to quarrel in front of their children to teach their children how to fight.”
It was a Press invitation and I was sold instantly to finding out more. As it turned out, those words were tied to a parental workshop that was part of “Gain Family Discovery Camp” at Berjaya Tioman Beach, Spa and Golf Resort, Pahang, in early June. It was organised by pharmaceutical giant Abbott Malaysia.
Six sets of parents, each with two children below the age of seven, took part in the experiential learning workshop and have seen marked improvement in the respective parent-child relationship. (See Sidebar 1.)
“One of the camp’s objectives was to educate parents — a child’s first teacher — about laying the foundation for children’s emotional development,” explained Lee Swee Chin, from Abbott Laboratories (M) Sdn Bhd.
During this interview recently, Lee, the group marketing manager in Abbott Malaysia’s paediatric nutrition division, said that in organising the camp, Abbott was determined to take the participating families from the hustle and bustle of life and bring them closer to nature, to ensure a more meaningful time. “We wanted these parents to be equipped with the right parenting skills,” she said.
The camp had many activities to enable the participating parents to gain a holistic insight into the art of meaningful parenting.
(A contest was held in April by Abbott Malaysia to select participants for the camp. More than 100 entries were received.)
The camp facilitator was Paul K. Jambunathan, consultant clinical psychologist at Monash University Medical School and Sunway Medical Centre.
One particular workshop which was the highlight of the camp relates to the intriguing line that got our attention.
Jambunathan said discussion about this subject came about because the parents wanted to know if it was okay to quarrel in front of their children. The answer was a simple yes because parents, he said, are the architects of their children’s developmental curriculum.
According to Jambunathan, it was perfectly fine for parents to quarrel in front of their children and even, as a result of the conflict, to not speak to one another for a few hours or a day or two.
“What happens after the quarrel? There are consequences. Positive things can come out from this and parents can decide on this — based, of course, on their family values,” he explained.
“This way, children come to understand that if they express an emotion, they must be responsible for it.”
Children watch their parents closely, picking pointers on how they should model their own behaviour.
“Whatever it is that you’re doing, your children are watching. Visual experience is the primary tool for learning and modelling their behaviour. Eighty per cent of a child’s learning comes from visual experience. They look — they follow!” added Jambunathan.
Jambunathan was, of course, speaking of normal parents engaged in normal arguments and misunderstandings, not couples/parents who are pathologically abusive or abnormal.
He said parents must understand why they do what they do.
On children mimicking observed behaviour, Jambunathan’s explanation makes perfect sense: if we observe children who react rashly to situations, i.e. uncontrollable outbursts and irrational behaviour modelled after video- or computer games, it is clear that they have not thought of the consequences of their reactions.
(Many reported cases of violence amongst children bear proof of this.)
Jambunathan has been a passionate observer of families and their dynamics both professionally (as a psychologist) and as a parent himself (the 50-year old and his wife have two daughters).
He recalls a local study done around 1989-1990 on the quality time spent together by families which proved to be an eye opener for him — the average father then, it seemed, spent two minutes talking to his child and the average housewife about five minutes.
Things apparently never went beyond a few minutes of reporting about what the child did throughout the day or how school was.
“Nowadays, with the rise in the hiring of maids, parents spend even less time with their children,” said Jambunathan.
For this reason, he added, the six families that took part in the camp were lucky because they would not have had a chance to spend as much time together otherwise.
A thoroughly modern parent himself, Jambunathan sees plenty of hope in even the most difficult child.
He never refers to children as spoilt or brats. At the most, when pressed to label difficult children, he only goes as far as describing them as misbehaving children.
And the solution to correcting behavioral flaws is easy, he insisted.
“Children need attention and parents should give them their attention. Parents should be engaged in deliberate parenting and not accidental parenting,” he advised.
“Deliberate parenting means involving the children in activities (like planning visits and trips) and planning the curriculum for the children,” he said.
He says children should be taught the idea of co-operative living.
(Parenting is not just about teaching children “fighting skills”, but also building their capacity for empathy, being moral individuals, caring and a whole host of other admirable qualities that help them realise their full potential.)
“Parents who want to modify their children’s behaviour and learning experiences can do so if they become aware and are honest to the situation (i.e. ‘This is what I am doing’, ‘This is what I am not doing as a parent’, ‘This is what someone else is doing’ etc) — and seek resources.
“If it is necessary, parents should seek psychological and psychiatric help for children who need emotional and behavioural guidance and support.
“Professionally, I see the breakdown of families day in and day out. The symptoms of these relationship breakdowns show when the child reaches adolescence, but the problem obviously started early.
“I would dare be reductionist enough to say that the root (of such breakdowns) is family communications and bonding — or the lack of it,” said Jambunathan.
By : FRANCIS DASS
2008/07/16
Deliberate parenting, when done properly, will result in a child who is smart, confident and happy.
Six families had the opportunity to attend a parental workshop that prescribes deliberate parenting, family communications and bonding. FRANCIS DASS writes.
Jambunathan is a strong proponent of deliberate parenting.
HAVING spent more than a decade and a half in journalism, I can safely say that not many things surprise me in life.
So it was with great interest that I did a second take on a sentence that said, “... it is important for parents to quarrel in front of their children to teach their children how to fight.”
It was a Press invitation and I was sold instantly to finding out more. As it turned out, those words were tied to a parental workshop that was part of “Gain Family Discovery Camp” at Berjaya Tioman Beach, Spa and Golf Resort, Pahang, in early June. It was organised by pharmaceutical giant Abbott Malaysia.
Six sets of parents, each with two children below the age of seven, took part in the experiential learning workshop and have seen marked improvement in the respective parent-child relationship. (See Sidebar 1.)
“One of the camp’s objectives was to educate parents — a child’s first teacher — about laying the foundation for children’s emotional development,” explained Lee Swee Chin, from Abbott Laboratories (M) Sdn Bhd.
During this interview recently, Lee, the group marketing manager in Abbott Malaysia’s paediatric nutrition division, said that in organising the camp, Abbott was determined to take the participating families from the hustle and bustle of life and bring them closer to nature, to ensure a more meaningful time. “We wanted these parents to be equipped with the right parenting skills,” she said.
The camp had many activities to enable the participating parents to gain a holistic insight into the art of meaningful parenting.
(A contest was held in April by Abbott Malaysia to select participants for the camp. More than 100 entries were received.)
The camp facilitator was Paul K. Jambunathan, consultant clinical psychologist at Monash University Medical School and Sunway Medical Centre.
One particular workshop which was the highlight of the camp relates to the intriguing line that got our attention.
Jambunathan said discussion about this subject came about because the parents wanted to know if it was okay to quarrel in front of their children. The answer was a simple yes because parents, he said, are the architects of their children’s developmental curriculum.
According to Jambunathan, it was perfectly fine for parents to quarrel in front of their children and even, as a result of the conflict, to not speak to one another for a few hours or a day or two.
“What happens after the quarrel? There are consequences. Positive things can come out from this and parents can decide on this — based, of course, on their family values,” he explained.
“This way, children come to understand that if they express an emotion, they must be responsible for it.”
Children watch their parents closely, picking pointers on how they should model their own behaviour.
“Whatever it is that you’re doing, your children are watching. Visual experience is the primary tool for learning and modelling their behaviour. Eighty per cent of a child’s learning comes from visual experience. They look — they follow!” added Jambunathan.
Jambunathan was, of course, speaking of normal parents engaged in normal arguments and misunderstandings, not couples/parents who are pathologically abusive or abnormal.
He said parents must understand why they do what they do.
On children mimicking observed behaviour, Jambunathan’s explanation makes perfect sense: if we observe children who react rashly to situations, i.e. uncontrollable outbursts and irrational behaviour modelled after video- or computer games, it is clear that they have not thought of the consequences of their reactions.
(Many reported cases of violence amongst children bear proof of this.)
Jambunathan has been a passionate observer of families and their dynamics both professionally (as a psychologist) and as a parent himself (the 50-year old and his wife have two daughters).
He recalls a local study done around 1989-1990 on the quality time spent together by families which proved to be an eye opener for him — the average father then, it seemed, spent two minutes talking to his child and the average housewife about five minutes.
Things apparently never went beyond a few minutes of reporting about what the child did throughout the day or how school was.
“Nowadays, with the rise in the hiring of maids, parents spend even less time with their children,” said Jambunathan.
For this reason, he added, the six families that took part in the camp were lucky because they would not have had a chance to spend as much time together otherwise.
A thoroughly modern parent himself, Jambunathan sees plenty of hope in even the most difficult child.
He never refers to children as spoilt or brats. At the most, when pressed to label difficult children, he only goes as far as describing them as misbehaving children.
And the solution to correcting behavioral flaws is easy, he insisted.
“Children need attention and parents should give them their attention. Parents should be engaged in deliberate parenting and not accidental parenting,” he advised.
“Deliberate parenting means involving the children in activities (like planning visits and trips) and planning the curriculum for the children,” he said.
He says children should be taught the idea of co-operative living.
(Parenting is not just about teaching children “fighting skills”, but also building their capacity for empathy, being moral individuals, caring and a whole host of other admirable qualities that help them realise their full potential.)
“Parents who want to modify their children’s behaviour and learning experiences can do so if they become aware and are honest to the situation (i.e. ‘This is what I am doing’, ‘This is what I am not doing as a parent’, ‘This is what someone else is doing’ etc) — and seek resources.
“If it is necessary, parents should seek psychological and psychiatric help for children who need emotional and behavioural guidance and support.
“Professionally, I see the breakdown of families day in and day out. The symptoms of these relationship breakdowns show when the child reaches adolescence, but the problem obviously started early.
“I would dare be reductionist enough to say that the root (of such breakdowns) is family communications and bonding — or the lack of it,” said Jambunathan.
Sunday, June 22, 2008
Fine arts for all
Sunday June 22, 2008
Fine arts for all
THE article, “Seeking refuge in music” (StarEducation, June 8), makes readers in Malaysia and beyond realise how fortunate our children are as they can opt for an education in music or any other subject, without facing repercussions from militants or extremist groups.
Despite being exposed to music and some elements of the fine arts, not all Malaysian children have full access to them.
While music is part of the school curriculum, it is not offered in all schools. The subject is not given much emphasis and children keen on pursuing music have to do so on their own.
Parents who can afford it often have to fork out hundreds of ringgit each month to pay for their children’s music lesons and dance classes, while those who cannot, deprive their children, some of whom are very talented.
I have seen schoolchildren at both elementary and secondary levels who form musical ensembles ranging from pop to rock with their neighbours or classmates
It is not just a hobby for them; they compete in inter-school or national music competitions like the Battle of the Bands.
Without a fine arts education, we will only create philistines of our children. Do we want to emphasise the sciences and let our children think that all things associated with music and the arts are “useless”?
Studies have proven that children who are exposed to music and the arts often turn out to be more compassionate adults.
It is time we bring music and other elements of the fine arts back into the mainstream of education. By doing so, school choirs, orchestras and dance clubs will be revived, together with the marching bands and rock bands.
Such a move will also enable children from all walks of life, and not just a select few, to appreciate the subject.
Yinyang Via e-mail
Fine arts for all
THE article, “Seeking refuge in music” (StarEducation, June 8), makes readers in Malaysia and beyond realise how fortunate our children are as they can opt for an education in music or any other subject, without facing repercussions from militants or extremist groups.
Despite being exposed to music and some elements of the fine arts, not all Malaysian children have full access to them.
While music is part of the school curriculum, it is not offered in all schools. The subject is not given much emphasis and children keen on pursuing music have to do so on their own.
Parents who can afford it often have to fork out hundreds of ringgit each month to pay for their children’s music lesons and dance classes, while those who cannot, deprive their children, some of whom are very talented.
I have seen schoolchildren at both elementary and secondary levels who form musical ensembles ranging from pop to rock with their neighbours or classmates
It is not just a hobby for them; they compete in inter-school or national music competitions like the Battle of the Bands.
Without a fine arts education, we will only create philistines of our children. Do we want to emphasise the sciences and let our children think that all things associated with music and the arts are “useless”?
Studies have proven that children who are exposed to music and the arts often turn out to be more compassionate adults.
It is time we bring music and other elements of the fine arts back into the mainstream of education. By doing so, school choirs, orchestras and dance clubs will be revived, together with the marching bands and rock bands.
Such a move will also enable children from all walks of life, and not just a select few, to appreciate the subject.
Yinyang Via e-mail
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Schools to start planting trees to instil love for the environs
Wednesday June 18, 2008
Schools to start planting trees to instil love for the environs
By CHARLES FERNANDEZ
charlesf@thestar.com.my
SCHOOLS nationwide will be encouraged to embark on a treeplanting programme beginning next month to instil among students a liking for a lifestyle that is based on responsibility towards the environment and sustainable use of resources.
Deputy education director for schools division Datuk Noor Rezan Bapoo Hashim said the programme would focus on meeting the target of 20 million trees by 2020.
She said the ministry was identifying the species and the number of trees needed to be planted in each school based on its locality.
Speaking at the launch of the Toyota Eco-Rangers (TER) environmental programme workshop held at the Look-Out Point in Hulu Langat, Noor Rezan noted that while it would be an uphill task to introduce the tree-planting exercise in Klang Valley schools, it would be easier to implement in rural schools because of the large open areas available.
Responsible youngsters: Some of the participants of the Toyota Eco Rangers programme outlining their duties during its launch.
“The types of trees will be determined by the Landscape Department while the quantity would be decided by the respective schools,” she added.
She said once the tree-planting programme was in place and ongoing, the department would work closely with the Children's Environmental Heritage Foundation (CEHF) to monitor its progress and provide assistance to the schools in other similar environmental activities.
She added that the inclusion of environmental studies in the secondary school syllabus reflected how the curriculum had been redesigned to promote environmental awareness among students.
The TER programme, a joint initiative between UMW Toyota Motor and CEHF, is aimed at fostering an appreciation and understanding of nature by teaching secondary school students how to care for trees.
Under this programme, each of the 23 schools selected by the Education Ministry will be entrusted with planting and caring for 100 trees of various kinds in the school compound and the surrounding community.
“The pilot project involving 46 students and two teachers each from 23 schools in the Klang Valley is to test how successful the three-day workshop is and how best to implement the project.
“It is conceived as a way to promote awareness of the environment among schoolchildren.
“They are required to identify the types of trees that are suitable for their school's soil and surroundings and to justify their selection of a particular species,” added Noor Rezan.
UMW Toyota Motor managing director Kuah Kock Heng, in his speech read by executive director Aminar Rashid Salleh, said the students would apply the knowledge they had gained from the workshop in the planting of the trees.
“This newly-conceptualised programme is UMW Toyota Motor's extension to the Toyota Eco Youth programme under the CSR environment pillar,” said Kuah.
He added that the programme was a means to reach a wider group of schoolchildren.
It was best to educate them on the importance of the environment from a young age as they were not yet set in their ways and it would be easier to eradicate their bad habits, Kuah said.
Schools to start planting trees to instil love for the environs
By CHARLES FERNANDEZ
charlesf@thestar.com.my
SCHOOLS nationwide will be encouraged to embark on a treeplanting programme beginning next month to instil among students a liking for a lifestyle that is based on responsibility towards the environment and sustainable use of resources.
Deputy education director for schools division Datuk Noor Rezan Bapoo Hashim said the programme would focus on meeting the target of 20 million trees by 2020.
She said the ministry was identifying the species and the number of trees needed to be planted in each school based on its locality.
Speaking at the launch of the Toyota Eco-Rangers (TER) environmental programme workshop held at the Look-Out Point in Hulu Langat, Noor Rezan noted that while it would be an uphill task to introduce the tree-planting exercise in Klang Valley schools, it would be easier to implement in rural schools because of the large open areas available.
Responsible youngsters: Some of the participants of the Toyota Eco Rangers programme outlining their duties during its launch.
“The types of trees will be determined by the Landscape Department while the quantity would be decided by the respective schools,” she added.
She said once the tree-planting programme was in place and ongoing, the department would work closely with the Children's Environmental Heritage Foundation (CEHF) to monitor its progress and provide assistance to the schools in other similar environmental activities.
She added that the inclusion of environmental studies in the secondary school syllabus reflected how the curriculum had been redesigned to promote environmental awareness among students.
The TER programme, a joint initiative between UMW Toyota Motor and CEHF, is aimed at fostering an appreciation and understanding of nature by teaching secondary school students how to care for trees.
Under this programme, each of the 23 schools selected by the Education Ministry will be entrusted with planting and caring for 100 trees of various kinds in the school compound and the surrounding community.
“The pilot project involving 46 students and two teachers each from 23 schools in the Klang Valley is to test how successful the three-day workshop is and how best to implement the project.
“It is conceived as a way to promote awareness of the environment among schoolchildren.
“They are required to identify the types of trees that are suitable for their school's soil and surroundings and to justify their selection of a particular species,” added Noor Rezan.
UMW Toyota Motor managing director Kuah Kock Heng, in his speech read by executive director Aminar Rashid Salleh, said the students would apply the knowledge they had gained from the workshop in the planting of the trees.
“This newly-conceptualised programme is UMW Toyota Motor's extension to the Toyota Eco Youth programme under the CSR environment pillar,” said Kuah.
He added that the programme was a means to reach a wider group of schoolchildren.
It was best to educate them on the importance of the environment from a young age as they were not yet set in their ways and it would be easier to eradicate their bad habits, Kuah said.
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Student beaten up for refusing to join gang
Tuesday June 10, 2008
Student beaten up for refusing to join gang
ALOR STAR: A 16-year-old student was beaten up by a group of men outside his school in Lorong Merpati here for refusing to join their gang.
The Form Four boy suffered injuries on his head which needed more than 15 stitches in the 7am incident yesterday.
The student, from Jalan Kuala Kedah, said two cars stopped near a stall where he was having breakfast with his friends and six men emerged. Two, wearing helmets and armed with metal rods, started attacking him.
“They shouted foul language at me and asked why I refused to join their gang,” he said when met at the Sultanah Bahiyah Hospital.
He said the beating only stopped when passers-by threatened to call the police. A schoolmate sent him to hospital. He later lodged a police report.
“I fear for my life because the men know where I live,” he said.
Kota Star OCPD Assistant Comm Frederick Liso Senap said police were investigating.
Student beaten up for refusing to join gang
ALOR STAR: A 16-year-old student was beaten up by a group of men outside his school in Lorong Merpati here for refusing to join their gang.
The Form Four boy suffered injuries on his head which needed more than 15 stitches in the 7am incident yesterday.
The student, from Jalan Kuala Kedah, said two cars stopped near a stall where he was having breakfast with his friends and six men emerged. Two, wearing helmets and armed with metal rods, started attacking him.
“They shouted foul language at me and asked why I refused to join their gang,” he said when met at the Sultanah Bahiyah Hospital.
He said the beating only stopped when passers-by threatened to call the police. A schoolmate sent him to hospital. He later lodged a police report.
“I fear for my life because the men know where I live,” he said.
Kota Star OCPD Assistant Comm Frederick Liso Senap said police were investigating.
Sports school among ‘cluster’
Tuesday June 10, 2008
Sports school among ‘cluster’
By SIMRIT KAUR
PUTRAJAYA: The Education Ministry has named the second batch of 30 cluster schools to be given additional funding and greater autonomy to improve performance.
Among them are Sekolah Datuk Abdul Razak in Seremban, SMK (L) Methodist in Kuala Lumpur, SJKC Lick Hung in Subang Jaya, SMJK Ave Maria Convent in Ipoh and the Bukit Jalil Sports School in Kuala Lumpur.
“This brings the cluster of excellent schools to 60. By 2010, we hope to have 300 such schools,” said Education Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein here yesterday.
The schools can apply for funding of up to RM500,000 to carry out various projects. They must also identify niche areas (curriculum and non-curriculum) that they want to focus on.
Hishammuddin also received a report from the Clusters of Excellence Advisory Board containing 75 recommendations to make the cluster schools a success.
Among the proposals forwarded were school-based assessment, including the abolition of the Ujian Pencapaian Sekolah Rendah (UPSR) and Penilaian Menengah Rendah (PMR), laptops for all schoolchildren, single-session schools and smaller class sizes.
“We will study the recommendations and decide which can be adopted,” Hishammuddin said, adding that some of them had far-reaching consequences and would require changes to current rules and regulations.
He added that the ministry would make the report public to gather feedback on the recommendations from all stakeholders such as teachers and parents.
Hishammuddin also said that cluster school heads had been sent for courses at King’s College London in Britain, Monash University in Australia, Waikato University in New Zealand and Institut Aminuddin Baki in Genting Highlands to improve their leadership and management skills.
Commenting on the proposal by schoolbus operators to raise fares by up to RM50 following the reduction in fuel subsidy, Hishammuddin described the amount as “excessive”.
“I call on everyone not to take advantage of the situation and make schoolchildren victims of the current situation.”
Sports school among ‘cluster’
By SIMRIT KAUR
PUTRAJAYA: The Education Ministry has named the second batch of 30 cluster schools to be given additional funding and greater autonomy to improve performance.
Among them are Sekolah Datuk Abdul Razak in Seremban, SMK (L) Methodist in Kuala Lumpur, SJKC Lick Hung in Subang Jaya, SMJK Ave Maria Convent in Ipoh and the Bukit Jalil Sports School in Kuala Lumpur.
“This brings the cluster of excellent schools to 60. By 2010, we hope to have 300 such schools,” said Education Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein here yesterday.
The schools can apply for funding of up to RM500,000 to carry out various projects. They must also identify niche areas (curriculum and non-curriculum) that they want to focus on.
Hishammuddin also received a report from the Clusters of Excellence Advisory Board containing 75 recommendations to make the cluster schools a success.
Among the proposals forwarded were school-based assessment, including the abolition of the Ujian Pencapaian Sekolah Rendah (UPSR) and Penilaian Menengah Rendah (PMR), laptops for all schoolchildren, single-session schools and smaller class sizes.
“We will study the recommendations and decide which can be adopted,” Hishammuddin said, adding that some of them had far-reaching consequences and would require changes to current rules and regulations.
He added that the ministry would make the report public to gather feedback on the recommendations from all stakeholders such as teachers and parents.
Hishammuddin also said that cluster school heads had been sent for courses at King’s College London in Britain, Monash University in Australia, Waikato University in New Zealand and Institut Aminuddin Baki in Genting Highlands to improve their leadership and management skills.
Commenting on the proposal by schoolbus operators to raise fares by up to RM50 following the reduction in fuel subsidy, Hishammuddin described the amount as “excessive”.
“I call on everyone not to take advantage of the situation and make schoolchildren victims of the current situation.”
Sunday, June 8, 2008
Check teens’ handphones for porn, parents urged
Sunday June 8, 2008
Check teens’ handphones for porn, parents urged
KUALA LUMPUR: Parents have been urged to check the handphones of their teenage children as they could have downloaded pornographic video clips or photographs.
For between RM5 and RM30, the images can easily be downloaded at handphone outlets where prices depend on the duration and quality of the images.
The father of a 15-year-old boy has complained to the Malaysian Muslim Consumers Association after finding such videos on his phone and got the name of the outlet he had obtained the videos from.
The association's project director Noor Nirwandy Mat Nordin said teenagers were now exposed to various modes of information, communication and technology and close supervision was vital to prevent them from abusing the use of such gadgets.
He said families should be serious in looking into the matter so that the young would not be influenced by such immorality.
He said the authorities must act to prevent handphone outlet operators profiting from teenagers' pocket money.
“The availability of lewd video clips for handphones will certainly lead to moral decay in society and the authorities have to take action before it gets out of control.
“It may initially look harmless but the impact is that it could lead to curiosity and stimulate the urge of trying to have sex with their peers,” Noor Nirwandy told a press conference on Friday.
He said teenagers found possessing such pornographic material on their handphones would be counselled by the association.
Check teens’ handphones for porn, parents urged
KUALA LUMPUR: Parents have been urged to check the handphones of their teenage children as they could have downloaded pornographic video clips or photographs.
For between RM5 and RM30, the images can easily be downloaded at handphone outlets where prices depend on the duration and quality of the images.
The father of a 15-year-old boy has complained to the Malaysian Muslim Consumers Association after finding such videos on his phone and got the name of the outlet he had obtained the videos from.
The association's project director Noor Nirwandy Mat Nordin said teenagers were now exposed to various modes of information, communication and technology and close supervision was vital to prevent them from abusing the use of such gadgets.
He said families should be serious in looking into the matter so that the young would not be influenced by such immorality.
He said the authorities must act to prevent handphone outlet operators profiting from teenagers' pocket money.
“The availability of lewd video clips for handphones will certainly lead to moral decay in society and the authorities have to take action before it gets out of control.
“It may initially look harmless but the impact is that it could lead to curiosity and stimulate the urge of trying to have sex with their peers,” Noor Nirwandy told a press conference on Friday.
He said teenagers found possessing such pornographic material on their handphones would be counselled by the association.
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