KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysians spend an average of 12 hours daily talking on the phone and browsing the net, the Dewan Negara was told today.
Deputy Multimedia and Communications Minister Datuk Jailani Johari said this shows internet facilities are crucial and relevant to Malaysians.
Out of the 12 hours, 3 hours 3 minutes were spent on cellphones, 5 hours 36 minutes on computers and 3 hours 27 minutes on social media, Jailani added.
He said 72.2 percent of the country has broadband services.
The services are used by 19.2 million people. Out of that, 98 percent are active on social media platforms.
Citing international research which stated that 12 to 15 per cent of daily net browsing involved pornographic sites, he said the data was disturbing as more Malaysians, especially youths now had internet access.
"Youths can easily browse through their cellphones," he said at the Dewan Negara lobby.
He said despite the ministry's efforts to block these sites, there are 260 new pornographic websites launched everyday.
"Due to that it is hard for the ministry to constantly monitor such websites," he said.
The international research carried out in the US also revealed that the world spends USD3 million every second. "In India, the government is unable to block pornographic websites after objection from the people," he said.
Due to that, he said the ministry is concern with the misuse of internet to watch pornographic contents and to spread rumours.
The government is finding it hard to block pornographic sites on daily basis as 260 new sites are launched everyday worldwide, the Dewan Negara was told today.
Multimedia and Communications Ministry also revealed that the study carried out in New York that the world spends USD3 million every second to watch pornographic sites.
"There is supply because of demand," he said advising parents to keep a constant watch on their youths.
Jailani said since 2001 to last month, 1,253 pornographic websites have been blocked after receiving public complaints and popular hits by Malaysians.