Singapore exploring stronger safeguards for children's online use: PM at NDR 2025
Some countries have passed new laws to tighten access to social media and the internet for children, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong said on Aug 17.
"We are studying their experiences closely to understand what truly works. And we will consider what more we can do to strengthen online safety for children," he said during his National Day Rally speech at the ITE College Central.
"Every generation worries about negative influences impacting their young people," PM Wong said, adding that many parents today worry that their children are spending too much time on screens.
This ranges from scrolling on social media, to surfing the internet or playing computer games.
In the past, children were constantly reminded not to watch too much TV, PM Wong said, but today's environment is on a wholly different scale.
"Everyone is online, always connected, and always within reach on their phones, 24/7. So it's much harder for parents to set boundaries, or even to know what their children are doing."
He cautioned that young people may lose touch with the real world when they become overly immersed in the virtual world.
They may grow up more socially isolated, be exposed to harmful or toxic content, and have their self-esteem, emotional development and mental wellbeing chipped away over time.
To this end, he said it is necessary to strike the right balance between protecting the young from the potential harms of technology and equipping them to fully exploit its benefits.
This has to start early, right from infancy, said PM Wong.
"For infants and toddlers, the science is clear, no screen time at all," he said, adding that parents should also be mindful to limit screen time for pre-schoolers.
"We should not use phones as a baby-sitter, just to keep our children quiet or occupied."
Guidelines on screen use were earlier issued by the Ministry of Health on Jan 21, as part of Grow Well SG, a national health strategy to encourage children and adolescents to adopt healthier lifestyles.
PM Wong said children should be encouraged to spend more time outdoors to play, make friends and be active.
"Let them run around in the parks and playgrounds. Give them space to explore on their own, to try, take some knocks, and get back up again.
"Through it all, they can learn, grow and gain confidence in the real world, not the virtual one," he said.
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