The conference, organized by a number of government departments, also proposed the establishment of a unit to combat cyber-crimes, including sexual blackmail, promiscuity and others.

The conference asked for the setting up of such units in many other government departments, including the ministries of Interior and Culture and Information and the Commission for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice.

It called for the setting up of a committee comprising seven government departments to draft a media plan to spread virtue and combat evil.

The recommendations also included modifying syllabuses to teach students about the hazards of unethical Internet sites and called for spreading awareness against immoral websites through billboards in sports stadiums and other places where youths gather.

Meanwhile, informed sources told Arab News that blackmailing crimes were considered among the most common in the Kingdom. They said last year alone there were over 180,000.

The Haia said it surveyed 1,086 people on its website about the reasons behind blackmailing crimes.

A lack of faith was the top reason, accounting for almost half of responses, followed by unethical television channels (25.7 percent), family (13.3 percent) and evil friends (1.2 percent).

A survey conducted by the Bahithat Center in Riyadh revealed family members were behind 98 percent of blackmailing crimes. They said 97 percent of these crimes were committed by men.

A study conducted by Nawal Al-Eid of Princess Noura University said blackmailing of girls was partly due to their own failure in standing up for themselves. She also pointed to girls’ desire to try new things without thinking of consequences, increasing their chances of falling prey to blackmailing and sexual harassment.