Helping Youths Overcome Social Media and Gaming Addictions

Mr Vikram Nair asked the Coordinating Minister for Social Policies and Minister for Health (a) whether the Ministry tracks social media and gaming addictions amongst youths; and (b) whether the Ministry is considering any measures to help youth overcome such addiction.

Sir, the Ministry of Health (MOH) does not currently track social media and gaming addictions among youths. There are youth counselling and intervention programmes available for those seeking help, such as TOUCH Community Services and WE CARE Community Services.

MOH is working with experts to review the latest medical evidence for social media and gaming addictions amongst youths and working with the National Council of Social Service to review access to addiction support services in the community.

Thank you to Senior Minister of State. One clarification. If parents were to identify youths with such addictions and flag it, who would be the best authorities to flag it to and what interventions would be available, assuming the child or youth was unwilling to be treated?

Sir, in any form of intervention and treatment, the client or patient in this case who needs help has to be cooperative. Otherwise, it will be very difficult to actually force someone to receive any form of intervention or care.

But if parents are struggling with where to start to begin the journey of helping their child, they could go to our Mindline.sg website and take a look at some of the resources that are available there. Or for those who need someone to talk to, to get a sense of how to begin that care journey for their children, then to call the national mindline 1771 and speak to one of the counsellors on the phone, or use the text messaging function to contact one of the counsellors who can then guide them on the appropriate resources in the community to begin some of these interactions with the child. Sometimes, it may have to begin with some befriending, so that the child or the adolescent gets comfortable with someone they feel they can open up to and trust, and then gradually bring them on board to receive treatment. So, it is not a straightforward process of dispensing advice or prescribing medication. It may require some degree of interaction to get a sense of what is the best way to approach or to deliver help to the person in need.