Reduced interest in books if exposed to technology too early

This may result in children becoming tired of learning and less interested in physical books.

This was one of the comments shared by parents about the possible impact of early exposure to electronic devices on young individuals.

A 41-year-old father, Muhd Eyzal Ikram Mohamad, who has three kids, observed that youngsters face difficulty with issues-solving and artistic thinking when they rely solely on their gadgets for reference, and not engage in reading materials.

He emphasized that it is the responsibility of parents to ensure that their children use technology wisely and cultivate the habit of reading from a young age.

“Isn't it ironic that our children today have lost interest in reading books? It's our job as their parents, who are their closest role models, to lead by example. If we want them to put down their phones, we need to start by putting our own away. Children often mimic our actions, so it's crucial for us to set the right example.”

Improving a person's reading culture, particularly from an early age, is vital as it develops their ability to think critically, rather than solely relying on the internet for effortless information access.

“The current technology also brings many risks of abuse, like explicit content and an over-reliance on video games. As a parent, I am concerned about this situation,” said the public officer.

It was previously found that exposure to smartphones can have a detrimental effect on children's mental health if it happens before they reach the age of 16.

In the view of University of Nottingham Malaysia School of Politics and International Relations Associate Professor Dr Tricia Yeoh, one way to protect children from mental health issues is by exposing them to traditional ways of life.

The debate on this issue took place during an online roundtable discussion titled ‘Creating Resolutions: Where Did Malaysia's Education System Go Wrong After 60 Years?’ broadcasted on Sinar Harian’s online news platform on Monday.

Rosfadzilah Ahmad, a 44-year-old laboratory assistant, points out that current gadgets present a challenge for parents, as many children seem to be less interested in physical books.

It's common now for children to use smartphones more than traditional books for their studies, mainly because accessing knowledge online is faster and more convenient by simply keying in a search query.

It's led to a tendency among young people to exert less effort and depth in their work, as everything is readily available to them. Additionally, online classes have also contributed to this, allowing them to attend classes from the comfort of their own home.

“Dalam masa lalu, kanak-kanak keluarga menghabiskan masa besar dengan rakan-rakan, bermain, membaca bersama dan seumpamanya, tetapi sekarang mereka lebih memilih mengasingkan diri bersama peranti pintar.”