Measures rolled out in S’pore to keep online users, including teens, safe

Singapore is implementing new measures to safeguard its online users, particularly teenagers, from potential mental health risks associated with social media platforms. Legislative changes are set to be introduced early next year to enforce safety features, such as daily time limits, restrictions on infinite scroll, auto-play, and direct messages from strangers.

The Online Safety Commission, established earlier this year, is tasked with addressing various online harms, including online harassment, doxing, stalking, and intimate image abuse. Victims can report these issues directly on the commission's website. The commission will progressively tackle additional issues, including online impersonation and deepfake abuse.

In 2023, a Code of Practice for Online Safety was introduced, requiring popular platforms like Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, X, TikTok, and HardwareZone to implement community guidelines and content moderation measures. By 2025, app stores in Singapore began requiring age checks to prevent minors from downloading inappropriate apps.

These age verification methods include facial scans, government identity verification, and credit card verification. Violations are subject to fines of up to $1 million or 10% of a company's revenue in Singapore, whichever is higher. The Broadcasting Act has been amended to allow the IMDA to direct social media platforms to remove content promoting suicide, self-harm, child sexual exploitation, terrorism, and material that incites racial or religious tensions.

The Online Criminal Harms Act enables the government to issue directions and orders to restrict exposure to criminal activities on online platforms. The Protection from Harassment Act protects victims of online harassment, stalking, cyberbullying, and related offenses by allowing civil actions for damages and protection orders. OSRA expands the scope of harms covered under the POHA, enabling victims to seek prompt remedies through the OSC.