Social Media Platforms to Implement More Safeguards for Children: Janil Puthucheary

The Ministry of Communications and Information (MCI) has proposed an Online Safety Bill that will mandate social media platforms to introduce additional safeguards for children, said Senior Minister of State for Communications and Information, Janil Puthucheary, in Parliament on Oct. 5.

He was responding to a question regarding whether MCI is considering a minimum age limit for children on social media platforms to mitigate the potential harm such platforms may pose. Puthucheary noted that the bill includes a proposed Code of Practice aimed at improving online safety.

“The code will require social media services with significant reach or impact to implement systems and processes designed to reduce exposure to harmful content for Singaporean users, with specific protections for younger users,” he explained.

Existing Measures by NLB and IMDA
In response to MP Melvin Yong’s inquiry about whether the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) will develop parent-specific social media literacy programs, Janil highlighted that internet service providers are already required to offer filtering services for residential and mobile internet, helping parents control their children’s online access.

He also stressed the need for parents to take an active role in guiding their children on the appropriate age for social media use. The Media Literacy Council offers resources on safe and responsible online behavior and provides tips for parents on when to allow their children to use social media.

Additionally, the Ministry of Education (MOE) collaborates with parents to manage children’s online habits, and the National Library Board (NLB) is organizing media literacy events throughout October. These events are aimed at equipping Singaporeans with skills to critically assess online information, including specific programs for children.

“We will continue to monitor global developments and consult extensively on issues such as age verification, considering further measures where appropriate,” Janil concluded.