According to findings, 75 percent of Malaysian teenagers have reported watching pornographic videos or viewing explicit images.
Dr. Noor Azimah Muhammad, an Associate Professor in the Department of Family Medicine at the Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), has expressed growing concerns over the increasing participation of Malaysian teenagers, particularly males, in internet pornography activities. This worrying trend is seen to invite immoral behavior among adolescents.
A study conducted in 2021 revealed that the majority of those involved in these activities were male teenagers who had become entangled in them during their secondary school years. It was found that they frequently use the internet alone at home, which raises further concerns about their exposure to explicit content.
The act of watching pornography has led some teenagers to develop addictive behavior, putting them at risk of engaging in unprotected sex and contracting sexually transmitted diseases, including Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and syphilis.
Dr. Noor Azimah highlighted that this issue arises due to a lack of parental monitoring, primarily caused by parents' busy work schedules and absence from home. Insufficient supervision allows teenagers to explore explicit content without guidance or boundaries.
She shared a concerning case where a male student admitted to watching over 200 pornographic videos per day to fulfill his sexual desires. Subsequently, this student became exposed to masturbation and eventually engaged in casual sexual encounters while studying at college.
The involvement of Malaysian teenagers in casual sex is also a matter of great concern. Another study conducted in 2013, involving 988 college students, revealed that 10% of them had engaged in sexual activities, with 5% being highly active in this regard.
The sexual activities performed by adolescents tend to be high-risk, including frequent partner changes, experimentation with homosexuality or bisexuality, neglecting the use of condoms or contraceptives, and engaging in sexual activities while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
These findings align with the National Health Morbidity Study of 2017, which found that 7.3% of adolescents aged 13 to 17 admitted to having engaged in sexual intercourse before the age of 14, with 5% actively participating in sexual activities.
Dr. Noor Azimah emphasized that almost all of these adolescents engage in unsafe sex without using proper protection, and alarmingly, 40% of new HIV cases involve adolescents.
She pointed out that sexual addiction often begins once sexual activities are initiated. After experiencing pleasure from these activities, adolescents develop an ongoing desire to repeat them, leading to potential addiction and further risky behavior.
In today's digitally interconnected world, the internet and social media platforms have made it even easier for teenagers to access pornographic videos and images without detection by their parents. The availability of Wi-Fi, whether at home or in certain premises, allows teenagers to access explicit content without having to spend their own money.
The linear relationship between social media, pornography, and sexual activities exacerbates the situation. The teenage mindset, characterized by curiosity and a desire to experiment, makes them more prone to engaging in forbidden practices.
In response to these concerns, Dr. Noor Azimah places the responsibility on parents to take charge of controlling their teenagers' sexual activities. She stresses the crucial role parents must play in protecting their teenagers from engaging in risky sexual behavior before marriage.
The first step parents need to take is to provide comprehensive sexual education to their children within the comfort of their own homes. Topics such as the definition of sex, risky sexual behavior, the consequences of casual sex, sexually transmitted infections, and unplanned pregnancies should be addressed.
However, Dr. Noor Azimah acknowledges that the existing sense of shame surrounding the topic of sex often makes it difficult for parents to discuss it openly. To overcome this challenge, parents may opt to use alternative terms such as "sexual relationship," but they must ensure that teenagers understand the definitions clearly to avoid confusion.
Furthermore, the generation gap also plays a role in shaping teenagers' sexual behaviors. The current generation, exposed to advanced information technology, is more susceptible to engaging in sexual activities compared to previous generations.
Dr. Noor Azimah emphasizes the importance of parents shouldering this responsibility with a strong sense of duty. They should actively seek information about teenage sexual education, expand their knowledge through reading and attending educational events, and collaborate with teachers to ensure a comprehensive approach.
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Source: Malaysian Gazette
