Debated in Parliament on 13 Jan 2026.
Mr Lee Hong Chuang asked the Minister for Digital Development and Information with rising concerns over excessive screen time among children (a) what measures is the Ministry implementing to help parents and schools manage children's digital usage safely; and (b) how will the Ministry monitor and assess the effectiveness of these initiatives.
The Member may refer to the written reply given by the Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF) on 22 September 2025 on the assessment of the effectiveness of parental education programmes on healthy screentime habits for children, which mentions some of the programmes and resources the Government has rolled out to support parents in managing their child’s screen use. [Please refer to "Assessment of Effectiveness of Parental Education Programmes on Healthy Screentime Habits for Children", Official Report, 22 September 2025, Vol 96, Issue 2, Written Answers to Questions section.]
In addition to these efforts, the Government has identified four key actions that families should adopt to foster healthy digital habits and keep their children safe and supported online: a) set boundaries online; b) think before you act; c) report inappropriate content; and d) engage and support your child in their online journey.
In November 2025, the Infocomm Media Development Authority released a comprehensive set of resources on the Digital for Life (DfL) portal as a complementary effort to support parents in adopting these four key actions. The resources, developed in consultation with parents, youths and key partners, like the Media Literacy Council, are tailored according to the various stages in the parenting journey, based on their child's developmental age range and their experiences with key digital milestones, such as their first screen and first device. In collaboration with community partners, the Ministry of Digital Development and Information (MDDI) has also launched a series of digital parenting workshops to proactively reach parents in their local communities.
MDDI, the Ministry of Education (MOE) and MSF have also jointly developed the Positive Use Guide on Technology and Social Media with practical tips for parents and youth on building healthy and positive relationships with technology. Relevant content from the Guide will be used to support students, which will be reinforced through MOE's Cyber Wellness lessons and shared with parents and families.
The Ministry, together with other relevant agencies, will continue to monitor these concerns and strengthen support initiatives where needed through collaboration with parents, community partners and schools.
PAPERCUTS