PETALING JAYA - Children and youth are spending way too much time in front television and computer. Thus, it is time to turn off the two most commonly watched screens, albeit temporarily.

The Federation of Malaysian Consumers Associations (Fomca) with this in mind, yesterday launched the "No TV Week" drive in conjunction with the National Consumer Campaign 2008-2012, with the theme "Change Begins With Me".

Campaign coordinator Datuk Paul Selvaraj said the No TV Week was to encourage the public to cut back on the hours they spent in front of the screen, especially those in the four- to six-year-old category.
"No TV Week is meant to create an awareness, especially among parents who have four- to six-year-old kids, that there are so many other activities besides watching television," he told reporters here.

Paul said the No TV Week was also a reminder to the public to cut down the time they spent on the Internet.

"Not only television, but the time spent on the Internet should also be reduced. We are not against both TV and the Internet, but it is better to have an active lifestyle rather than just sit in front of the screen," he said.

The No TV Week, which will be held from April 21 to 27, seeks to limit the maximum time of two hours per day when it comes to watching television or spending time on the Internet.

Parents, Paul said, should also think of alternative ways to utilise the time.

"There are many other activities, such as visiting museums or the zoo, swimming or playing football, or even camping," he said.

Last year, six kindergartens, with more than 1,200 children, participated in the event.

For more information on No TV Week, visit www.kkk.org.my.