Eliminate internet addiction before it's too late

SHAH ALAM: Faculty of Communication and Media Study UiTM Shah Alam Fifth semester students of the Bachelor of Public Relations hosted a webinar called Eliminate Internet Addiction (#EIA22) to give detailed exposure and related actions that can be taken when an individual is found to be addicted to the internet. The purpose of this programme was to spread awareness about internet addiction and how an individual might get so addicted to it that it affects health concerns. This will also go through related legal actions to provide the community further insight.

Internet addiction is a behaviour when a person is compulsive and needs to spend a great deal of time on the Internet, to the point where other areas of life (such as relationships, work, or health) are allowed to suffer. Internet addicts make the internet a priority more important than family, friends, and work. The Internet becomes the organising principle of addicts' lives. Internet addiction, also known as internet addiction disorder (IAD), began when a person started using the internet regularly or incorporated it into their daily routines.

On February 22, 2022, According to the former Minister of Communications and Multimedia, Tan Sri Annuar Musa, "Among the things that need to be emphasised are access to improper internet content, concerns involved in online transactions, a lack of digital skills, deficiencies in password management, threats from strangers, phishing assaults, and online privacy." Therefore, he reaffirmed "We have already discovered some fascinating and unexpected things, including internet addiction. It is well known that Malaysia has a higher than average rate of internet addiction.” he said during his speech when officiating the Internet Security Day 2022.

The program was held on January 14, 2023 from 9:30 am to 12:30 pm broadcast live via Zoom. This Webinar was equipped with a webcam, two microphone clips, as well as switcher boards sponsored by Data Sukan to enhance the quality of the programme during the live display. A startup entitled Data Sukan was established in 2019 with the primary goal of adding worldwide value to become one of the most important national assets, especially in the sport industry.

This program involves participation from school students, universities and the public. Their involvement is important for programs like this so they can learn more and add to their knowledge of the issue. Therefore, for this webinar a total of 202 participants have registered for the webinar. This program has gained public attention and a large audience on social media with the help and support of Puan Zaiton Khalid, an influencer on social media, TV and digital host who also often provides awareness and spreads positive things to netizens. In addition, support and encouragement from Dr Amer Siddiq who is a psychiatrist at the University of Malaya Specialist Centre, Kuala Lumpur.

The panel of this program has been professionally managed by panel members who are specially selected and appointed according to the issues discussed. This webinar is conducted with two sessions, starting with the first session titled "Let's talk about iDisorder". This session was professionally discussed by Madam Adlil Rajiah who is a parenting writer together with Madam Syuhadah Munir who is a psychologist from IIUM. For the second session "Law & iDisorder: The Disturbed Mind." managed by Tetuan Zahari of Tetuan Zahari Affendi & Partner who is an advocate and solicitor and also the Co-Founder of Sifutrademark and with him is Miss Nurul Amirah from MCMC. Both sessions will feature professional analysts.

Commenting on the issue in the first session according to Madam Syuhadah Munir, due to a traumatic experience or event it will make a person become addicted to the internet because this individual is more dependent on this technology. Consequently, as a result of this, a person would frequently worry and suffer anxiety. Although the use of the internet causes various problems, especially to a person's health, according to Madam Adlil Rajiah, "however, our dependence on the internet is seen to contribute a lot to bad things as well, but it cannot be changed and cannot be stopped. It is realistic that needs to be accepted and we are having it in our future. We do not need to panic and fear. We need to go back to the original, we should be more powerful than technology because we are the ones who built the facility. So we need to know how to handle it".

There are many things and information that are latest and useful for all the people in Malaysia. The issues and questions that have been discussed in session 1 have a great impact and also an exchange of "mindsets" that can be well received by all participants who follow this webinar. Moving on to the second session, Tetuan Zahari specifically addressed it with the session's title, which has helped the general public to open their eyes and thoughts. In Malaysia, there have been a number of incidents and situations involving cybercrime that are regarded as significant and serious offences. “Despite this, there is an issue in Malaysia since the act and legislation regarding cybercrime have not yet been strengthened”.

A start-up company called Data Sukan Sdn Bhd is attracting attention and increasing value worldwide with the goal of becoming one of the country's most important assets, especially in the sports industry. For the purpose of conducting and presenting webinar sessions, this company has offered production facilities and technology tools such as a switch board, 2 microphones and 1 web camera. One of the best integrators and providers of ICT solutions in Malaysia is Mesiniaga Berhad. Menara Mesiniaga in Subang Jaya has offered a place with uninterrupted internet speed.

Interesting activities were organized for the participants and panellists during the event as well. To ensure that each participant knows the content of the program, Kahoot contests and Q&A sessions are conducted. Besides Data Sukan Sdn Bhd, sponsors of this event include Mesiniaga, Natural Wonders, Sekolah Rendah Islam Al-Falah, TellTell Uniquely Melaka, and talented singer and entertainer Azmi Caliph Busker from Sincere Record. We are grateful to the sponsors who support our program so enthusiastically. For the winners of the Kahoot competition, they have received vouchers worth RM20 to RM30, 1 set of food from TellTell Uniquely Melaka and also Hair Tonic by Nature Wonders. The lucky winner of the lucky draw event was won by 5 lucky participants who have been faithful until the end of this program.

At the end of this program, the organizers have received many comments and positive views on the title and the joint efforts of all parties to make this program run smoothly.

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** Article by the Faculty of Communication and Media Study UiTM Shah Alam

**The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the position of Astro AWANI.