Singapore's Next Steps in Building Child-Safe Digital Environments (Factsheet)

As digital platforms become an integral part of daily life, keeping online spaces safe for young users has become an urgent priority. The Government is taking a whole-of-society approach to strengthen these protections, drawing on views from parents, youths, global regulators, industry partners, academics, and experts to build safer digital environments for children.

A Growing Concern for Singapore Families

Just as we have safeguards to protect children and teenagers under 18 from dangers in the physical world, we should also have safeguards to protect these young users from dangers in the digital world.

MDDI’s Digital Parenting Survey 2025 showed that over 81% of parents are concerned about their children’s exposure to inappropriate content, with more than 50% also concerned about their children interacting with strangers online, being bullied in cyberspace, and developing screen addiction. However, only 37% of parents felt confident in guiding their child’s digital habits and over half wanted more Government support to help them manage their child’s digital activities.

The Government is committed to closing this gap. We will support parents every step of the way with the practical tools and guidance they need to keep their children safer online.

Singapore's Efforts in Enhancing Online Safety

Singapore is committed to enhancing protections for children on social media, and has taken an accretive and outcome-oriented approach to do so over the past few years. In 2023, IMDA implemented the Code of Practice for Online Safety – Social Media Services (“SMS Code”), requiring designated social media services to put in place systems and processes to prevent Singapore users, particularly children, from accessing harmful content.

Recognising that social media platforms are only one part of the digital ecosystem, the Code of Practice for Online Safety – App Distribution Services (“ADS Code”), was subsequently rolled out in March 2025. It requires designated app stores to minimise risk of exposure to harmful content for users, especially children. Designated app stores are also required to put in place age assurance measures to prevent young users under 18 from accessing age-inappropriate apps.

Building on this, the Government has announced plans to extend age assurance requirements to designated social media services, including requiring them to keep users under 13 off their services. For older children, we are looking at how to make social media services safer by requiring age-appropriate experiences and safeguards.

The Online Safety Commission (OSC) also began operations in June 2026. The OSC will provide victims of online harms¹ with a dedicated and accessible avenue to seek timely redress. Together, the two Codes of Practice and the OSC form a more robust ecosystem addressing harmful content and strengthening accountability.

Beyond regulation, the Government takes a whole-of-society approach to supporting families in the digital age. On 31 May 2026, PM Lawrence Wong launched “Screen Smart from the Start”, a nationwide movement to help families foster healthy digital habits from young. The movement brings together practical guidance, meaningful offline experiences, and community support across three fronts:

• Making resources accessible and user-friendly: A new one-stop portal, Be Screen Smart, brings together digital parenting resources, making it easier for parents to find the guidance they need. The portal provides practical, age-appropriate tips for children and youths aged 0–6, 7–12, and 13–18.

• Connecting families with more non-screen activities: The portal helps families find meaningful offline alternatives, including a wide range of offline activities for families during school holidays, and NLB reading programmes such as themed storytelling sessions and a new run of the popular Book Bugs programme from August 2026. It also includes PA’s "Playkit" of play tools for parents with children aged 3–6 to facilitate screen-free family engagement and intergenerational bonding.

• Strengthening Community Partnerships: The Government will work alongside a wide network of community partners and volunteers to reach and support parents where they are. PA is incorporating digital parenting into 20 PA Family PLAYGround community events islandwide in the second half of 2026. It will feature interactive booths with hands-on, screen-free activities designed to encourage meaningful parent-child engagement and strengthen bonding among families to bring communities closer together.

More details on the above programmes are available in the press release issued on 31 May 2026.

A Collaborative and Consultative Approach

MDDI is taking a collaborative and consultative approach to shape the next phase of our efforts. As we work towards identifying the most appropriate safeguards suited to Singapore’s needs, we are engaging a wide range of stakeholders – from parents and youths to global regulators, industry partners, academics, and experts – to gather views on building safer digital environments for children.

• Focus Group Discussions with parents and youths

MDDI is conducting Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) with parents and youths in June and July 2026. Co-organised with community partners, the FGDs aim to raise public awareness of whole-of-society efforts in building child-safe digital environments, and to gather views on the Government's plans to foster child-safe digital environments on social media. These views include whether children under 13 should be allowed access to social media platforms, and safeguards that should be in place for older children up to age 18 to ensure age-appropriate experiences.

• MDDI-IPS Forum on Fostering Child-Safe Digital Environments on Social Media

MDDI and the Institute of Policy Studies (IPS) are co-organising a forum in mid-July 2026, bringing together global regulators, community and industry partners, academics, and experts to drive thoughtful conversations on shaping a safer digital future for children in the social media age.

• Keeping Children Safe Online: A Survey for Parents

Parents with children aged 0 – 17 can also share their views through a public survey on CrowdTask, accessible via Singpass till end-July. The survey seeks parents’ views on measures to enhance children’s online safety.

Views and findings from the above engagements will help MDDI refine its approach, identify gaps in public awareness, and better understand the concerns and expectations of families.

¹ Victims can authorise another person to file a report to the OSC on their behalf. Parents or guardians can also file a report for their children or wards under 18 years old.