Malaysia Partners with China to Combat Gaming Addiction Crisis

PETALING JAYA: China’s recent regulation of restricting children to 15 hours of online gaming during their school vacation from January 13 to February 13 seems to be a sensible approach to halt video game dependency, yet it might incite pushback, remarked Universiti Putra Malaysia clinical instructor and neurologist Dr Anna Misya’il Abdul Rashid.

“Should Malaysia contemplate a similar initiative, it is crucial to undertake local studies to grasp the cultural and social landscape surrounding such measures.

“Policies ought to strike a balance between the advantages of digital interaction and the dangers of addiction to foster healthy growth. Public discussions, awareness campaigns, and trial programs could assist in assessing their efficiency before broader application.”

In his research titled “Gaming Preferences and Personality among School Students,” Universiti Malaysia Sabah psychology and social work lecturer Assoc Prof Dr
Balan Rathakrishnan noted that among 20.1 million video game enthusiasts in Malaysia, over half are school students and young adults ages 13 to 25.

Anna Misya’il indicated that promoting a balanced strategy towards technology usage, rather than enforcing outright prohibitions, could be more efficacious in cultivating a healthier digital setting for youth.

“Malaysia’s rich and varied cultural legacy offers alternative entertainment avenues that may alleviate reliance on screen time. Participating in sports, engaging in music, reading, and solving puzzles can provide similar cognitive engagement without the heightened risks of addiction.”

She highlighted that excessive gaming is typically characterized as playing for over four hours per day or 30 hours weekly, particularly when it disrupts daily routines, sleep, and responsibilities.

“Researchers have proposed that extended screen time might influence the brain’s prefrontal cortex, complicating the management of aggression by disturbing the equilibrium of neurological signals that govern behavior. However, further research is necessary to comprehend how this occurs.”

Universiti Teknologi Mara Social and Policy Studies professor Dr Yarina Ahmad mentioned that given the amplifying global apprehension concerning gaming addiction among minors, Malaysia should contemplate similar actions as China.

“We cannot merely imitate China’s regulations because their approach involves collaboration with the gaming industry to limit gameplay duration.

“If Malaysian gaming enterprises owned popular games, such as Mobile Legends, Roblox, or PUBG, regulating these platforms might be more achievable. Another possibility is to observe the precedents set by countries that have prohibited certain games, like parts of India banning PUBG due to fears of excessive violence.”

She emphasized that empowering parents to oversee their children’s gaming practices is an excellent starting point, but its
effectiveness hinges on parental support for government actions and diligent management of their children’s gaming habits.

“Initiating educational initiatives to enhance public understanding of the long-term consequences of gaming addiction is vital. Many might not regard it as a significant concern, yet its repercussions can be substantial over time.

“What is evident is that Malaysia must progress in a similar vein by instituting control measures.”

Yarina stated that Malaysia’s measures regarding gaming restrictions are not as comprehensive as those in China, Japan, and South Korea, as we lack rigorous enforcement to tackle gaming addiction among minors.

“Malaysia ought to take inspiration from other nations.

The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission and governmental departments must conduct thorough investigations to comprehend the impact of online gaming addiction on children.”

She acknowledged that parents play a pivotal role in regulating their children’s gaming time and limiting their initial exposure to the internet.

“Once children become accustomed to extended screen usage, it becomes increasingly challenging to manage their screen time.”