In a survey and research conducted by UKM’s Faculty of Medicine, Family Medicine Department in 2021 around 75 percent of Malaysian teenagers aged between 13 and 18 admitted to having viewed pornography.

The department stated that owning any form of pornographic material is illegal under Section 292 of the Penal Code and added that MCMC must be equipped with wider powers to combat the menace.

MCMC’s content code states that any portrayal of sexual activity that a reasonable adult considers explicit and pornographic is prohibited because it is unethical, immoral and should be even deemed criminal in nature.

These teenagers accessed pornography due to various factors such as loneliness, curiosity or even as a form of relief from stress while other reasons include peer influence or even the fear of missing out on the action and not belonging.

The department added that pornography is a major global concern and, in this country, pornographic materials can be easily accessed without detection from the Internet and digital forensic action is needed to curb it.

The department also stated that watching smut can lead to physical effects which can cause desensitisation, affect arousal and sexual performance and potentially lead to compulsive sexual behaviour.

-THE MALAYSIA VOICE