MDDI's Response to PQ on Evaluating Effectiveness of Online Child Protection Measures and Key Outcome Indicators Used

Parliament Sitting on 8 September 2026

Question for Written Answer

40. Dr Choo Pei Ling asked the Minister for Digital Development and Information (a) how the Government evaluates whether successive measures to protect children online are achieving their intended outcomes; and (b) what key outcome measures or indicators are used to assess their effectiveness and guide future policy refinements.

Answer

Protecting children online is a whole-of-society effort. The Government’s focus is on holding relevant online platforms to account for ensuring online safety and supporting parents’ efforts to help their children cultivate healthy digital habits.

Over the past three years, the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) has introduced two Codes of Practice for Online Safety to require designated social media services and app stores to minimise Singapore users’ exposure to harmful content and children’s exposure to both harmful and inappropriate content. Based on the annual reports they submit, IMDA will assess whether the safety measures implemented are comprehensive and effective, and publish the results.

In the Online Safety Assessment Report on Designated Social Media Services published on 31 March 2026, IMDA highlighted serious weaknesses in measures by X to proactively detect and remove child sexual exploitation and abuse material. Likewise, TikTok’s measures to detect and remove terrorism content were inadequate. IMDA issued Letters of Caution to X and TikTok and placed both services under Enhanced Supervision, requiring them to provide regular progress updates on their rectification measures. Similarly, when IMDA publishes the Online Safety Assessment Report for designated app stores later this year, it will point out areas where they have or have not met the requirements expected of them and hold service providers accountable where they have fallen short.

Beyond regulations, protecting children online also means equipping parents to guide and support their children in the digital world. Through the nationwide “Screen Smart from the Start” movement, MDDI aims to provide parents with the tools to nurture healthy digital habits to keep their children safe online. We will assess the movement through indicators such as parental awareness, confidence and adoption of healthy digital parenting practices, to inform future refinement.

The online environment is not static. Government will continue to work with platforms, community partners, and families to strengthen safeguards, promote healthy digital habits and create a safer digital environment for our children.