'No mobile during dinner' campaign launched in KL

"While modern technology has replaced the traditional way of communication, parents must also ensure that their children stay away from spreading rumours through social media."

The survey also shows that 86.2 per cent of youngsters maintain daily communications with their families, 79.6 per cent watch television together with their families, and 79.1 per cent would take time off to have dinners with their families.

Siti Norlasiah said LPPKN had always stressed human-to-human physical contacts as a means to foster ties with people.

On average, a Malaysian boasts 1.4 mobile phones, more than Americans and neighbouring Indonesians.

Lee Wee Min, the executive director of Focus on the Family Malaysia, the organizer of "No Mobile During Dinner" campaign, said Malaysians used mobile phones more often when compared to other electronic gadgets such as TVs and desktop computers.

"44.8 per cent treat mobile phones as a daily commodity while 51.5 per cent think mobile phones are very important in their lives.

"Some 76.3 per cent of respondents would turn back if they forget to bring their hand phones and 71.4 per cent will check their phones regularly even if they don't ring."

Studies also show that mobile phone usage is dominated by young people,of whom 18.8 per cent are between 20 and 24 years of age while 16.3 per cent between 25 and 29.

Additionally, the survey reveals that 33.9 per cent of students aged between 13 and 15 possess at least a handphone each.

"More startling, the youngest hand phone user is only five years old!"

"No Mobile During Dinner" campaign will run from now until November with at least 30 restaurants and 60 shops in Klang Valley participating. Customers encouraged to drop their hand phones into a box at the entrance before they enter to the restaurant.

"We hope to get at least 50 restaurants and 150 shops to participate."